SKULL AND SNOUT. 105 



of a projection of the frontals on either side ; the suture between 

 them and the superior maxillary is mortised ; the anterior maxillary 

 sends up a broad deep process more than half the length of tne 

 nasal bones, and the suture here is exceedingly strong. The bony 

 nasal opening is but small, not one-sixth of the size of that of the 

 sheep, and the apices of the bone form one sharp but rapidly widen- 

 ing point, which is carried forward to the anterior extremity of the 

 maxillary. The suture between the nasals themselves is often so 

 intricate, that before the animal is two years old, the upper part of 

 it is perfectly obliterated, and the nasal cavity appears as if only 

 covered by one bone. A very slight comparison of the face of this 

 animal with that of any other will prove that strength is the object 

 here in view; strength towards the inferior part of the bone. In. 

 point of fact the snout of the hog is his spade, with which, in his 

 natural state, he digs and grubs in the ground for roots, earth-nuts, 

 worms, &c. And to render his implement more perfect, an extra 

 bone is added to the nasal bone. This one is short and trificial 

 and placed directly before the nasal bones, with which, and with 

 the edges of the anterior maxillary, it is connected by strong 

 ligaments, cartilages, and muscles. This bone has been termed the 

 spade-bone, snout-bone, and by some writers, the vomer, from Its 

 supposed resemblance to a ploughshare. By it and its cartilagi- 

 nous attachment is the snout rendered strong as well as flexible, 

 and far more efficient than it could otherwise be; and the hog 

 often contrives to give both farmers and gardeners very unplea- 

 sant proofs of its efficiency, by ploughing up deep furrows in newly- 

 sown fields, and grubbing up the soil in all directions in search 

 of his living and dead food. 



The palatine bones constitute the crescentic and posterior border 

 of the palate and nasal cavity ; they do not advance further than 

 just before the last molar tooth, instead of occupying a considerable 

 portion of the palate. The palatine processes consist merely of 

 bony laminae. 



As roots and fruits buried in the earth form the natural food of 

 the hog, his face terminates in a strong muscular snout, insensible 

 at the extremity, and perfectly adapted for turning up the soil. 

 There is a large plexus of nerves proceeding down each side of the 

 nose, and ramifying over the nostril, and in these doubtless reside 

 that peculiar power which enables the hog to detect his food though 

 buried some inches below the surface of the ground. The olfactory 

 nerve, too, is large, and occupies a middle rank between that of the 

 herbivorous and carnivorous animals ; it is comparatively larger 

 than that of the ox : indeed few animals, with the exception of the 

 dog, are gifted with a more acute sense of smell than the hog. We 

 have already spoken of the sow which was taught to hunt partridges, 

 and proved as sure a finder and as stanch a backer as any pointer 

 6* 



