372 ANIMALS OF THE 



than the naturalist ; they make a branch of do- 

 mestic economy, which, properly treated, may be 

 extended to a great length : but the history of na- 

 ture ought always to end where that of art begins. 

 It will be sufficient, therefore, to observe, that the 

 wild boar was formerly a native of our country, 

 as appears from the laws of Hoeldda,* the famous 

 Welsh legislator, who permitted his grand hunts- 

 man to chase that animal from the middle of No- 

 vember to the beginning of December. William 

 the Conqueror also punished such as were con- 

 victed of killing the wild boar in his forests, with 

 the loss of their eyes. At present the whole wild 

 breed is extinct ; but no country makes greater 

 use of the tame kinds, as their flesh, which bears 

 salt better than that of any other animal, makes 

 a principal part of the provisions of the British 

 navy* 



As this animal is a native of almost every coun- 

 try, there are some varieties found in the species. 

 That which we call the East India breed, is lower, 

 less furnished with hair, is usually black, and has 

 the belly almost touching the ground ; it is now 

 common in England, it fattens more easily than 

 the ordinary kinds, and makes better bacon. 



There is a remarkable variety of this animal 

 about Upsal,t which is single hoofed, like the 

 horse, but in no other respect differing from the 

 common kinds. The authority of Aristotle, who 

 first made mention of this kind, has been often 

 called into question : some have asserted, that 



* British Zoology, vol. i. p. 44. f Amoenit. Acad. vol. v, p. 465. 



