HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. l6l 



Wild-Boars are not gregarious ; but while young, 

 they live together in families, and frequently unite 

 their forces against the Wolves, or other beasts of 

 prey. When likely to be attacked, they call to 

 each other with a very loud and fierce note: the 

 strongest face the danger and form themselves into 

 a ring, the weakest falling into the centre. In this 

 position few beasts dare venture to engage them, 

 but leave them to pursue a less dangerous chase. 

 When the Wild-Boar is arrived at a state of 

 maturity, he walks the forest alone and fearless. 

 At that time he dreads no single foe ; nor will he 

 turn out of his way even for man himself. He 

 offends no animal ; at the same time he is furnished 

 with arms which render him a terror to the fiercest. 



The hunting of the Wild-Boar is a dangerous 

 but common amusement of the great, in those 

 countries where it is to be found. The Dogs 

 chiefly used for this sport are of a slow and heavy 

 kind. When the Boar -is roused, he goes slowly 

 forward, not much afraid, nor very far before his 

 pursuers. He frequently turns round, stops till the 

 hounds come up, and offers to attack them : after 

 keeping each other at bay for a while, the Boar 

 again goes slowly forward, and the Dogs renew the 

 pursuit. In this manner the chase is continued till 

 the Boar becomes quite tired, and refuses to go any 

 farther: the Dogs then attempt to close in upon 

 him from behind; and in this attack the young 

 ones, being generally the most forward, frequently 

 lose their lives: the old seasoned Dogs keep the 

 animal at bay until the hunters come up, who kill 

 him with their spears. 



VOL. III. 



