A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 11 



by all nations of the earth, from the earliest periods of the 

 history of man, to the present time. 



Evidences of the existence of the hog previous to the 

 period of man, are abundant. Fossil relics of the genus 

 sus have been found in the miocene deposits, and at the 

 bottom of peat bogs. 



Moses forbade the use of pork by the Israelites 1491 

 years before Christ. This prohibition would be without 

 meaning, if it had not previously been used as food by the 

 Israelites. 



THE WILD BOAR. 



The hog has been found in its wild state in nearly every 

 part of the Eastern Hemisphere, except in Northern lati- 

 tudes its natural habitat being in temperate and warm 

 climates. 



The chase of the wild boar was formerly a favorite sport 

 in all the countries in which he was found. This was 

 particularly the case in England, France, Germany, Italy, 

 India, and Africa. 



The following extract, from " Youatt and Martin on the 

 Hog," will illustrate, at the same time, an ancient English 

 custom, and ancient English. They say, page 51 : 



"Throughout the whole of England the boar's head 

 was formerly a favorite Christmas dish, served with many 

 ceremonies, and ushered in by an ancient chorus, chanted by 

 all present, the words of which are preserved in " Ritson's 

 Ancient Song: 



The bore's heed in hand bring I, 

 With " garlands" gay and rosemary, 



I pray you all synge merily 

 Qui estia in convivio. 



The bore-'s heed, I understande, 

 Is the u chefe" servyce in the laude, 



Loke wherever it be founde, 

 Servite cum cantico, 



Be gladde, lordes, both more and lasse, 

 For this hath ordayned our stewarde; 



To chere you all this Christmasse, 

 The bore's heed with mustarde." 



