404 



CLASS MAMMALIA. 



deed in which these remote islands first received their 

 animal population is very mysterious ; but whatever that 

 mode might be, analogy seems to lead to the conclusion 

 that it is to the species in question to which the black 

 variety of the South Sea Islands owes its origin, as well as 

 all the rest. The Wild Boar also, however fierce in dis- 

 position — however different in person, evinces a capability 

 of being tamed, which further intimates its relationship to 

 the domesticated races, with all of which it will propagate 

 a perfect posterity. 



The specimen we have figured was a very fine one, killed 

 in the Island of Peacocks; near Potsdam. We have just 

 said that the Wild Boar appears to form the original stock 

 whence all our domestic swine have sprung : for these 

 animals produce together a race that reproduce perma- 

 nently. The different modifications produced in these ani- 

 mals by domestication have not been much studied, and 

 accordingly naturalists admit but four or five principal 

 varieties in the species. 



The intelligence of the Hog seems to have gained but 

 little from the superintendence of man. They return of 

 their own accord from the fields to their sty, recognise 

 their keepers and follow their call. We are told that in 

 some parts of Scotland they are harnessed in company with 

 the Horse and Ass. Gestation continues nine months, and 

 twelve, or sometimes even fifteen, constitute a litter. 



In the variety of the Common Hog are many races which 

 it would be interesting and important to examine more 

 closely than has hitherto been done. Their most usual 

 colour is a dirty white, but some are altogether black, and 

 some are pied. The principal races are : 



(a.) The English, which acquire an extraordinary bulk, 

 and sometimes arrive at the weight of twelve hundred 

 pounds. They are whitish, and the body much elongated. 

 There are two other races in this country. The one of small 



