SAGACITY OF HOGS. 46 



gish and indolent ; when young, however, it is lively and energetic, 

 and disposed to indulge in sportive gambols, which, for any thing we 

 can see, are quite as amusing as those of lambs. 



Many extraordinary examples of the docility and intelligence 01 

 the too much despised hog are on record. Be it remembered, that 

 it belongs to that group of which the sagacious elephant forms a 

 portion not that we assert the intellectual equality of the two ani- 

 mals ; still, we believe that the hog may be trained to various modes 

 of labor, with far less trouble than is generally supposed. It is not, 

 however, needed for any such purposes ; consequently, except in a 

 few isolated instances, its education is utterly neglected ; all it has 

 to do is to eat and sleep, and become fat its utility to man com- 

 mencing at its death, by the knife of the butcher. Yet, even under 

 the disadvantages in which the pig is placed debarred its liberty, 

 prevented from exercising its natural instincts, and undisciplined in 

 the slightest degree it manifests both discernment and attachment ; 

 it recognizes the voice, and even the footsteps of its feeder, and is 

 evidently pleased with his notice. Instances of the attachment of 

 pigs to particular persons, and even to other animals, are on record. 

 It is not often, however, that porcine familiarity is encouraged. Set- 

 ting all prejudice aside, it must be confessed that the animal would 

 be more likely to prove troublesome and annoying, than agreeable 

 or welcome. We have, however, heard of persons who have petted 

 pigs, and know many who woul'd abhor to partake of the flesh of 

 one reared upon their own premises a circumstance not to be won- 

 dered at, when we consider that, while alive, the animal not only 

 knew them, but greeted their approach, and displayed unmistak- 

 able signs of attachment. 



The senses of smell, taste, and hearing, are possessed by the hog 

 in great perfection. It is a common saying that pigs can smell the 

 coming storm ; certain it is that they are very sensitive of approach- 

 ing changes of weather. They become agitated, hurry under shel- 

 ter, and during the continuance of the storm utter screams, run 

 about with straw in their mouths, or carry it to their sty as if to add 

 to their comfort and defence. This peculiarity has been noticed in 

 ancient times, as well as in the present. Dr. Darwin, in his Zoono- 

 mia, says, " It is a sure sign of a cold wind when pigs collect straw 

 in their mouths, and run about crying loudly. They would carry it 

 to their beds for warmth, and by their calls invite their companions 

 to do the same, and add to the warmth by numerous bedfellows." 

 At all times pigs are fond of huddling together under the straw, but 

 especially in chilly or windy weather, from which the young in par- 

 ticular appear to suffer much. From this cause, litters of pigs far 

 rowed during a severe winter are often greatly thinned, and the sw 

 vivors thrive with difficulty. 



