ORDER OF PACHYDEEMATA. 167 



Although Wild Boars are fond of wallowing in the mud, yet 

 they are of excessively cleanly habits, and accordingly wash them- 

 selves in the ponds or brooks before returning to their lairs. 



The old males live alone ; but the females continue with their 

 young ones for at least two years. In forests that are almost 

 deserted, it happens sometimes that a number of females meet 

 together and form, with their progeny, a considerable troop. The 

 members of these coteries seem to know each othef ; they live on 

 good terms and combine for one another's defence. If the troop 

 happens to be attacked, they form a circle, of which the weakest 

 occupy the centre. When thus ranged in order of battle, they 

 oppose to their enemies a desperate resistance. 



Previous to a female becoming pregnant, accompanied by a 

 male, she quits the troop and retires into the depths of the 

 forest. If a rival should discover their retreat, a terrible combat 

 takes place, which is terminated sometimes by death. 



The female goes four months with j^oung, when she brings forth 

 a litter of from four to ten, these she hides in inaccessible thickets 

 formed of briars and brambles, to save them, not only from the 

 voracity of Wolves, but also from that of the males of her own 

 species. She suckles them for three or four months, teaches 

 them to find their food, and defends them with energy and 

 desperate courage. 



The young one, we have said, is called (by the French) Mar- 

 cassiu ; when it is a year old, Bete de Compagnie ; when two years 

 old, Ragot ; when three years old, it is a SangUer a son tiers an ; 

 when four years old, it is a Quaternier ; and, lastly, it is called by 

 the names of Vieiix SangUer, Solitaire, and Vieil Ermite. It lives 

 from twenty to twenty-six j^ears. 



Wild Boar hunting is occasionally dangerous sport. This savage 

 animal is not alarmed by the pursuit and the barking of dogs ; 

 but the sound of horns, the cries of the sportsmen, and the 

 report of guns terrify it. It runs with "a rapidity and a lightness 

 which surprise us when we consider its heavy, thick-set figure. 

 Its route is invariably straight, and if any imprudent hunter does 

 not get out of its way, he is certain to be upset ; but it will not 

 turn from its course to attack any one. If it is wounded, it 

 changes its tactics, and rushes on all within reach. When fatigue 

 or loss of blood prevents its flight, it places its back against a 



