HOG KIND. 369 



the goat eats four hundred and forty-nine, and re- 

 jects a hundred and twenty-six ; the sheep eats 

 three hundred and eighty-seven, and rejects a 

 hundred and forty-one ; the horse eats two hun- 

 dred and sixty- two, and rejects two hundred and 

 twelve ; but the hog, more nice in its provision 

 than any of the former, eats but seventy-two 

 plants, and rejects a hundred and seventy-one. 

 The indelicacy of this animal is, therefore, rather 

 in our apprehensions than in its nature ; since we 

 find it makes a very distinguishing choice in the 

 quality of its food ; and if it does not reject ani- 

 mal putrefaction, it may be because it is abridged 

 in that food which is most wholesome and agree- 

 able to it in a state of nature. This is certain, 

 that its palate is not insensible to the difference of 

 eatables ; for, where it finds variety, it will reject 

 the worst, with as distinguishing a taste as any 

 other quadruped whatsoever.* In the orchards 

 of peach trees in North America, where the hog 

 has plenty of delicious food, it is observed, that 

 it will reject the fruit that has lain but a few 

 hours on the ground, and continue on the watch 

 whole hours together for a fresh windfall. 



However, the hog is naturally formed in a 

 more imperfect manner than the other animals 

 that we have rendered domestic around us, less 

 active in its motions, less furnished with instinct 

 in knowing what to pursue or avoid. Without 

 attachment, and incapable of instruction, it con- 

 tinues, while it lives, an useless, or rather a'rapa- 



* British Zoology, vol. i. p. 42. 

 VOL. II. A a 



