THE BOAR. 



even been known to eat their way into the fat on its back, without 

 incommoding the creature. Smelling and tailing are the fenfes it appears to 

 enjoy in the highell perfection. 



Stupid, inactive, and drowfy, the Hog would, if permitted, lleep away 

 half its time ; nor can any thing but the calls of appetite interrupt its 

 delightful repofe, to which it never fails to return, as foon as that appetite is 

 fatisfied. 



The wind appears to have a great influence on this creature : when it 

 blows violently, the animal is fo much agitated, that it will run towards the 

 fty, fcreaming in the moll violent manner. Naturalifts have alfo remarked that, 

 on the approach of bad weather, it will bring Straw to the Hy, as if to guard 

 againll its effects. The Hog is much dillurbed by the diftrefsful cries of 

 its own Ipecies, and appears anxious, though incapable of affording affiftance. 



Intemperance is the caufe of many difeafes to which this animal is 

 fubjecl, as mealies, impollhumes, fcrofulous Swellings, &c. Happy would it be 

 for man, if he would take warning from this example, and avoid the bad 

 effects of every kind of excefs. 



The Hog delights to wallow in the mire, either to cool himfelf or to 

 dellroy a fort of loufe with which he is infelted : notwithltanding his 

 fenfuality, he will live to the age of eighteen or twenty years, if permitted. 

 The female goes with young between four and five months, and produces 

 from ten to twenty at a litter, twice every year, till Ihe is fifteen years old. 



Although the Hog panes a life of inactivity, totally ufelefs to man, ha 

 makes him ample recompence at his death for the care and expence bellowed 

 on him. His flelh is nourishing and wholefome food for perfons who take 

 much exercife ; but thofe of delicate constitutions, and fuch as lead a 

 fedentary life, Ihould eat but Sparingly of it. It furnilhes our tables with 

 various delicacies, as ham, brawn, pork, bacon, faufages, &c. As it takes 

 fait much better, and is capable of being preferred longer, than any other 

 animal fubllance, it is an article of the higheil importance to a commercial 

 country. 



