304 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:7— Oct., 1918 



The pig has a most unique and beautiful digging apparatus 

 happily placed on the end of its nose, where it is backed by all 

 the pushing power of a stout body, and where it is directed into 

 operations by the aid of very keen olfactories. This is a most 

 efficient equipment for digging. If anything good to eat is 

 buried in the earth, trust to the normal pig to find it. But alas! 

 When a little bit of metal ring is thrust into the sensitive base of 

 the "rooter," this beautiful contrivance fails to operate; his 

 pigship is reduced to the common level of all mammalian kind, 

 and he is left endowed with only his appetite. 



When allowed to roam in the woods, the pig lives on roots and 

 nuts, especially acorns and beechnuts. In the autumn it becomes 

 very fat. In the wild state this was evidently a provision of 

 nature for the hardships of winter. It is this characteristic 

 that makes the pig useful for food. 



The domesticated pig is well fitted for locomotion on either 

 wet or dry soil, for the two large, hoofed toes enable it to walk 

 well on dry ground, and the two hind toes, smaller and higher up, 

 help to sustain it on marshy soil. If not too fat, the pig is a 

 swift runner in spite of its short legs. 



We can understand a little of the pig's conversation. There 

 is the nasal growl when fighting and the squeal of terror; the 

 constant grunting meant to keep the herd together, the complain- 

 ing squeal of hunger, and the satisfied grunt signifying enjoyment 

 of food. 



Today there are black pigs with white markings that have 

 ears standing erect; there are black pigs and white pigs with 

 drooping ears; chestnut pigs with drooping ears; white pigs 

 with erect ears; there are pigs fat and pigs lean; there are large 

 pigs and medium pigs and small pigs; but the original pig sagacity 

 may be found in them all in greater or lesser measure. 



Nature-study not only educates, but it educates nature-ward; and nature 

 is ever our companion, whether we will or no. Even though we are deter- 

 mined to shut ourselves in an office, nature sends her messengers. The light, 

 the dark, the moon, the cloud, the rain, the wind, the falling leaf, the fly, the 

 bouquet, the bird, the cockroach — they are all ours. 



L. H. Bailey. 



