THE HOG. 433 



move the defective characters of the larger breeds, and give 

 to them all the degree of fineness which consists with their 

 bulk of body ; for there is no animal so easily changed in form 

 and moulded to our purposes as the Hog. 



Amongst the kinds of crossing, that with the Wild Hog 

 has been lately revived to some extent. The only good effect 

 of this cross is a certain improvement of the flesh, by mixing 

 the fat more equally with the lean ; for, in the "Wild Hog. as 

 in all the less cultivated races of the Domestic Animals, the 

 fat is more mixed with the muscular parts. But otherwise 

 the crossing with the wild race does not seem to be advisable. 

 The form of the Wild Hog is not the perfect one at which 

 the breeder should aim, and we have greatly better models 

 presented to us in the best of the breeds already improved 

 by cultivation. 



Hogs are from time to time brought by our innumerable 

 shipping from the countries of the Mediterranean, as Italy, 

 Turkey, Spain, and mingled with the Swine of the country. 

 Of the Mediterranean breeds, the Maltese was at one time 

 in favour. It was of small size, of black colour, nearly des- 

 titute of bristles, and capable of fattening quickly. At the 

 present time a breed from the country near Naples has been 

 introduced, and has been employed very extensively to cross 

 the other breeds. This breed, like the Maltese, is of small 

 size, and of a black colour. It is nearly destitute of hair or 

 bristles, but, on being bred several times in this country, the 

 bristles come. The flesh is exceedingly good, but the ani- 

 mals themselves are destitute of hardiness, and unsuited for 

 general use. But they have been made to cross the other 

 Swine of the country, and the progeny exhibit much fineness 

 of form and aptitude to fatten. Their flesh, too, is delicate, 

 on which account the Neapolitan crosses are at the present 

 time in considerable favour in several parts of England. But 

 there are other races of Italy which might, with greater 

 benefit than that of Naples, have been introduced into this 

 country. The best Hogs of Italy are supposed to be pro- 



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