COMMON BOAR, HEDGEHOG. 77 



THE COMMON BOAR 



Is, of all other domestic quadrupeds, the most filthy and 

 impure. Its form is clumsy and disgusting, and its appetite 

 gluttonous and excessive. In no instance has nature more 

 conspicuously shown her economy than in this race of 

 animals, whose stomachs are fitted to receive nutriment 

 from a variety of things that would be otherwise wasted : 

 the refuse of the field, the garden, the barn, or the kitchen, 

 affords them a luxuriant repast. 



The parts of this animal are finely adapted to its mode 

 of living. Nature has given it a form more prone than that 

 of other animals. Its neck is strong and brawny ; its 

 snout is long and callous, well calculated for the purpose 

 of turning up the earth for roots of various kinds, of which 

 it is extremely fond ; it has a quick sense of smelling, by 

 which it is enabled to trace out its food, It is naturally 

 stupid, inactive, and drowsy ; much inclined to increase in 

 fat, which is disposed in a different manner from that of 

 other animals, and forms a thick and regular coat between 

 the flesh and the skin. It is restless at a change of 

 weather; and during certain high winds, is so agitated, as 

 to run violently, screaming horribly at the same time. It 

 appears to foresee the approach of bad weather, as it 

 previously carries straw in his mouth to its sty, prepares a 

 bed, and seems endeavouring to hide itself from the 

 impending storm. 



THE HEDGE-HOG. 



FEW animals are more innoxious than the Hedge-hog ; 

 yet few are exposed to such various injuries and insults. 

 Children frequently learn the rudiments of cruelty in tor- 

 turing it, and it seldom finds a protector among those who 

 are more advanced in years. 



Though the Hedge-hog has a formidable appearance 

 from the sharp spires with which its upper parts are 

 covered, it is one of the most harmless creatures in the 

 universe. Incapable or unwilling to injure, all its precau- 

 tions are directed only to its own security ; its armour is 

 adapted not to invade, but to repel an enemy. While 



