g6 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



nasal bones ; the nostrils are placed at its anterior end on the terminal 

 burrowing disc. 



3. The canine teeth are developed into powerful tusks, both those of 



the upper as well as the lower 

 jaw being directed upwards. 

 Its wedge-like shape and the 

 presence of the powerful tusks 

 render the head an instrument 

 equally adapted for ploughing 

 up the' ground and for lifting 

 up roots as thick as a man's 



Skull of w^Tboaii. " (to^tii natural size.) arm as easily as with a 



crowbar. It forms, in fact, 

 a lever, the moving power of which lies in — 



4. The powerful muscles at the nape of the neck, which are attached to — 



5. Very long spinous processes of the cervical vertebras. 



6. The very large posterior surface of the skull projecting far back- 

 wards forms a requisite surface for the attachment of these muscles to- 

 the head (compare, on the other hand, the shape of the skull of the 

 domestic pig). 



7. The neck is short and thick-set, and hence does not bend under the 

 violent labour performed by the head. 



8. The mode of feeding explains the distribution of wild swine. In 

 regions where the ground is frozen a great part of the year the animal 

 cannot live. Therefore it does not extend beyond 55° N. Lat. It occurs- 

 in Southern and Central Europe, North Africa, West and Central Asia. 



E. The Position of the Wild Boar in the Economy of Nature 

 and in Regard to Man. 



1. Enemies. — Since the total extermination of the wolf and lynx, the- 

 only surviving enemy of the wild boar is man. The fox may perhaps be 

 added, though he only ventures to attack the young animals. In southern 

 countries the larger felines prove dangerous enemies. When attacked, the 

 wild boar defends itself in blind rage with its powerful tusks. These 

 weapons, at every movement of the lower jaw, are whetted against each 

 other, and thus remain constantly sharp and pointed. Corresponding 

 to the direction of the tusks and the general structure of the body, the 

 blows dealt out by the wild boar always proceed from below upwards. 

 A single blow suffices to rip open the belly of a dog. 



2. Damage and Uses. — We have already hinted what damage a 

 herd of wild boars can wreak on the farmer in a single night. Conse- 

 quently, this species is not, like other game, accorded the benefit of a. 



