CSS NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



A pig-pointer. 



The ass and the hog are here also common help- 

 mates, and are frequently yoked together to plow 

 the land. Jn some parts of Italy hogs are used 

 in hunting for truffles, which grow some inches 

 deep in the ground. A cord being tied round 

 the hind-leg of one of the animals, the beast is 

 driven into the pastures, and wherever it stops 

 and begins to root with its nose, truffles are 

 always to be found. 



The various learned pigs which have at differ- 

 ent times been exhibited in this country afford 

 sufficient proof that these animals are not desti- 

 tute of natural sagacity. The following is, how- 

 ever, an instance more truly curious than perhaps 

 any even of these: " A gamekeeper of Sir H. 

 Mildmay," says the Kev. Mr. Daniel, f actually 

 fcroke a black sow to find game, and to back, 

 and stand. Slut, which was the name he gave 

 her, was rendered as staunch as any pointer. 

 After Sir Henry's death this pig-pointer was sold 

 J>y auction for a very considerable sura of money ; 

 tut possibly the secret of breaking swine to the 

 field expired with the inventor." 



The hog is one of those animals that are 

 doomed to clear the earth of filth and refuse j 

 and that convert the most nauseous offals into 

 the richest nutriment. It has not altogether 

 been unaptly compared to a miser, who is useless 

 and rapacious in his life, but at his death become* 

 of public use, by the very effects of his sordid 

 inanners. During his life he renders little ser- 

 l 



