226 THE HISTORY OF 



in the estimation "of the " boys," at the time of its first 

 appearance, though, nobody ever saw this extraordinary beast 

 or its progeny, I imagine : 



' Feiend M- 



Chiuese Mandarin Hogs. 



" , JVov. 7, 1854. 



, " We have just purchased the lot of Chinese Mandarin 

 Swine, imported, &c. &c. &c. * * * 

 , , "This is the best breed of China hogs, and are great 

 favorites with the inhabitants, the meat being remarkably 

 tender and fine-flavored. At maturity they weigh from 

 fifteen to eighteen score, and are very prolific. 



"The head and face of these animals very closely 

 resemble an elephant, both as to the appearance of the skin 

 and ears, and the number and depth of facial fissures ; per- 

 fectly unique, and strikingly oriental in capital aspect. ' 



"The neck is longer than that of anything of the hog 

 race, imparting a most singular appearance to the propor- 

 tions of the whole animal. ' 



" These Chinese _hogs are entirely difierent from anything 

 of the sort ever imported into this country before, and^ are 

 the most prolific of the swine race. The imported sow and 

 each of the sow-pigs have eighteen well-developed dugs. 

 The number of 'well-defined dugs is always the best prima 

 facie evidence of prolificness in any animal. 



"The bodies of these hogs are shaped like the white 

 Berkshire breed of England. They take on fat with, remark- 

 able rapidity, and, in color, though not sa spotted as the 

 leopard, these hogs are beautifully striq,ted, the body spotted 

 like polished alabaster and ebony, checkered and rounded 

 most exquisitely. 



^ "We shall have an engraving of these animals for the 

 northern agricultural papers, and one of the great English 

 periodicals. , Yours, truly, & ." 



