HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 147 



The parts of this animal are finely adapted to its mode 

 of living. Nature has given it a form more prone than 

 that of other animals. Its neck is ftrong and brawny ; 

 its fnout is long and callous, well calculated for the pur- 

 pofe of turning up the earth for roots of various kinds, 

 of which it is extremely fond ; and it has a quick fenfe 

 of fmelling, by which it is enabled to trace out its food. 

 It is naturally ftupid, inactive, and drowfy ; much in- 

 clined to increafe in fat, which is difpofed in a different 

 manner from that of other animals, and forms a thick 

 and regular coat between the flefh and the fkin. It is 

 reftlefs at a change of weather; and, during certain high 

 winds is fo agitated, as to run violently, fcreaming hor- 

 ribly at the fame time. It appears to forefee the ap- 

 proach of bad weather, as it previoully carries ftraw in 

 its mouth to its fly, prepares a bed, and feems endea- 

 vouring to hide itfelf from the impending ftorm. 



Linnaeus obferves, that the flefh of the Hog is a 

 wholefome food for thofe that ufe much exercife, but 

 bad for fuch as lead a fedentary life. It is of univerfal 

 ufe, and makes, in various ways, a conftarit article in the 

 elegancies of the table. It is of great importance to this 

 country, as a commercial nation ; for it takes fait better 

 than any other kind, and confequently is capable of be- 

 ing preferved longer: It is therefore of great ufe in 

 mips, and makes a principal part of the provifions of the 

 Britifh navy. 



The domeftic Sow brings forth twice a year, and pro- 

 duces from ten to twenty at a litter: She goes four 

 months with young, and brings forth in the fifth. At 

 that time fhe mud be carefully watched, to prevent her 

 from devouring her young : Still greater attention is ne- 



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