370 ANJMALS OF THE 



cious dependant. The coarseness of its hair, and 

 the thickness of its hide, together with the thick 

 coat of fat that lies immediately under the skin, 

 render it insensible to blows or rough usage. 

 Mice have been known to burrow in the back of 

 these animals while fattening in the sty,* without 

 their seeming to perceive it. Their other senses 

 seem to be in tolerable perfection ; they scent 

 the hounds at a distance j and, as we have seen, 

 they are not insensible in the choice of their pro- 

 visions; 



The hog- is, by nature, stupid, inactive, and 

 drowsy ; if undisturbed, it would sleep half its 

 time ; but it is frequently awaked by the calls of 

 appetite, which when it has satisfied, it goes to 

 rest again* Its whole life is thus a round of sleep 

 and gluttony; and, if supplied with sufficient 

 food, it soon grows unfit even for its own exist- 

 ence ; its flesh becomes a greater load than its 

 legs are able to support, and it continues to feed 

 lying down, or kneeling, a helpless instance of 

 indulged sensuality. The only time it seems to 

 have passions of a more active nature, are when 

 it is incited by venery, or when the wind blows 

 with any vehemence. Upon this occasion it is 

 so agitated as to run violently towards its sty, 

 screaming horribly at the same time, which seems 

 to argue that it is naturally fond of a warm cli- 

 mate. It appears also to foresee the approach 

 of bad weather, bringing straw to its sty in its 

 mouth, preparing a bed, and hiding itself from the 



* Buflbn. 



