330 FAMILY SDID.E ; BOAR, PHACOCHCERE, PECCARY. 



also by the Elephant, the Tapir, and even by the Horse ; and it 

 seems to distinguish the Pachydermata from the Ruminants, 

 which, when once brought into subjection to Man, remain 

 peaceably under it. 



296. The Boar or Wild Hog is unquestionably the original 

 stock of our domestic race, and does not differ from the common 

 Pig in any essential peculiarities. The snout, however, is more 

 elongated, the tusks larger (sometimes attaining the length of 

 more than ten inches), and the contour of the frame more gaunt 

 and bony ; whilst the muscular strength is much greater, and 

 the temper more savage. Like the domesticated Pig, the Boar 

 is nearly omnivorous ; not however attacking and killing other 

 animals for the sake of their flesh, but devouring what may fall 

 in its way. This animal was formerly a native of the forests of 

 Britain, but has been long since extirpated, though at what 

 precise epoch is not known ; it still ranges through the forests of 

 France, Germany, and other parts of Europe, and extends also 

 as far as India ; there is some doubt, however, whether the 

 European and Indian species are the same. In all ages, the 

 chase of the Boar has been a favourite diversion : it is not unat- 

 tended with danger, however ; for horses and men, as well as 

 dogs, have not unfrequently fallen a sacrifice to the fury of the 

 animal ; but this danger perhaps adds to the excitement. The 

 Phacochceres of Abyssinia and Southern Africa closely resemble 

 the Hog in general structure and habits, but differ from them 

 remarkably in their dentition ; for the molar teeth are formed 

 very much upon the plan of those of the Elephant, and successively 

 replace one another, by advancing from behind forwards, as in 

 that animal. The Peccaries are the representatives of the Boar 

 in South America ; and it is remarkable that, with the Tapirs, 

 they constituted the only representatives of the whole order of 

 Pachydermata, which were found in that continent at the time of its 

 discovery. In ancient times, as we have already seen, numerous 

 species of Mastodons, and other gigantic Pachyderms, roamed 

 over its wilds ; but they have gradually become extinct, and 

 have left us only these two comparatively small and feeble genera 

 as their representatives. On the other hand, since the discovery 



