THE PIG 
"A nice little pig with a querly tail, 
All soft as satin and pinky pale, 
Is a very different thing by far, 
Than the lumps of iniquity big pigs are.” 
“aT HE change noted in this rhyme between the 
ve BON little pig and the big one is not altogether 
’ og SEE the pig’s fault, but rather because of the 
sear ~=6poor care given him by ignorant people 
who make him a creature of filth. 
A little pig makes a charming pet. It is pretty 
and neat and very intelligent. It will soon know the 
little master or mistress who feeds it, and will follow 
those it loves like a devoted dog. It is sufficiently 
clever so that it may be taught many tricks, and will 
repay patient training. 
One of the most interesting things about a pig is 
its nose; this fleshy disk surrounding the nostrils is 
a most sensitive organ of feeling. By its use a pig 
can select corn from chaff; at the same time it is so 
strong that with it the ground may be rooted up in 
search for food. <A pig’s sense of smell is as keen as 
that of a dog, and there are many instances on record 
of a pig being trained as a pointer for hunting birds; 
it shows a keener intelligence in this capacity than 
do dogs. In France, pigs are taught to hunt for 
truffles, which are edible fungi growing upon tree 
roots far below the surface of the ground. 
Though the pig’s eyes are small, they gleam with 
intelligence. Pigs are often trained for shows, by 
teaching them how to pick out cards and count, and 
many otherintelligent tricks. When the pig is allowed 
55 
