Class I. HOG. 67 



urges him to devour even his own oiF-spring, 

 All other domestic quadrupeds shew some de- 

 gree of respect to mankind, and even a sort of 

 tenderness for us in our helpless years, but this 

 animal will devour infants, whenever it has op- 

 portunity. 



The parts of the hog are finely adapted to 

 its way of life. As its method of feeding is by 

 turning up the earth with its nose for roots of 

 different kinds, so nature has given it a more 

 prone form than other animals ; a strong brawny 

 neck ; eyes small, and placed high in the head ; 

 a long snout, a nose callous and tough, and a 

 quick sense of smelling to trace out its food. ' 

 Its intestines have a strong resemblance to those 

 of the human species ; a circumstance that 

 should mortify our pride. The external form 

 of its body is very unwieldy; yet, by the 

 strength of its tendons, the wild boar (which is 

 only a variety of the common kind) is enabled 

 to fly from the hunters with amazing agility : 

 the back toe on the feet of this animal prevents 

 its slipping while it descends declivities, and 

 must be of singular use when it is pursued : yet, 

 notwithstanding its poM ers of motion, it is by 

 nature stupid, inactive, and drowsy ; much in- 

 clined to increase in fat, which is disposed in a 

 different manner from other animals, and forms 



F 21 ' ■ . 



