WILD PIGS 239 



Having effected an opening in the thicket by this means, the Boar 

 has the way made clear for forcing its rigid body through the under- 

 growth, and, once having obtained an opening, we learn that its 

 rate of progress is both swift and sure. It is also largely assisted 

 in its movements by the short, powerful legs and the two central 

 toes which are encased in strong hoofs. By means of these the 

 animal is able to obtain a firm purchase upon the ground, and it 

 is easy to understand that a beast possessing long legs and hoofless 

 toes would be much less capable of doing this. 



The skin being so tough acts as an admirable protection when 

 the Wild Boar is making its way through the forest, the bristles 

 with which the skin is coated do not hamper the animal's advance 

 as would, for instance, the wool upon a Sheep, and the small, deep- 

 set and strong eyes are well protected by bristles and thus take no 

 harm. Finally under this head, it is important to note that the thick 

 impenetrable forest-thicket affords the Boar admirable protection 

 both in regard to the adult animal, and also its defenceless young 

 ones, against the attacks of enemies. 



Being a lover of water and marshy surroundings, and exhibiting 

 a keen delight in wallowing in mud and slush, we find that this 

 animal, as an inhabitant of the marsh, is wonderfully well structurally 

 adapted to undergo what is evidently a most enjoyable existence. 

 It is excellently suited for pursuing such a life and is prevented 

 from sinking in the mire "by the separation of the broad central 

 toes, the area of the surface of support" being increased; "this 

 happens even on hard ground, but still more on mud, because the 

 latter penetrates between the toes. When these toes sink in further, 

 the smaller hind-toes reach the ground and give further support." 

 Then again, writes Dr. Schmeil, "by again bringing the toes 

 together into their normal position, the animal, on sinking in a 

 swamp, soon manages to liberate its feet. For a man this is a much 

 more difficult performance, for on raisirtg the foot a vacuum is 

 formed below its surface. The two-toed Ox can also walk on 

 swampy meadows, but not the one-toed Horse." Wonder may be 

 expressed as to how it is possible for the Wild Boar to welter in 

 swamps for a considerable time without inducing an excessive 

 cooling of the body. What provision then is made against this ? 

 The thick layer of fat situate beneath the skin — and to which- refer- 

 ence has already been made in passing — is of vital importance in 

 this connection, as it has been proved to be a bad conductor of heat. 



