CLASS I. MAMMALIA: OEDER 11. P ACH YDERiM AT A. 645 
small, and the ears of moderate size, and upright. The form of the body resembles that of our 
ordinary swine, but is lighter and less bulky in the wild species. The tail is rather short and 
slender ; in most cases it is capable of being twisted up into a sort of curl iipon the rump. The 
skill is covered with bristles. Unlike the Pachydermata of the precediug families, which only 
produce one or at the utmost two young at a birth, the swine are very prolific, bringing forth 
frequently from eight to twelve young ones. The species are found in the warmer parts of both 
continents, only one, the common hog, being found wild in the temperate parts of the Old World. 
They live in the woods and forests, generally in marsh3r places, and feed partly upon roots and 
herbage and partl}^ upon animal substances, such as insects and their larvae, small mammalia, and 
even upon carrion. The females and young males live together in flocks, but the old boars are 
usually solitary, except during the breeding season, which they pass in company with the females ; 
and at this period they have tremendous combats among themselves. 
Genus SITS ; Sus. — Of this there are several species : the most important is that of the AVild 
Boar, Sanglier of the French, 8us scrofa of Linnaeus, of which all the breeds of Domestic Hogs 
are varieties. This is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and though much less abundant 
than formerly, is still found in the wald and wooded districts of these quarters of the globe. They 
are of a blackish-brown color, the young, called oriarcassins by the French, being faintly marked 
with cross-stripes. The bristles along the spine are very coarse, and are erected when the 
animals are excited, giving them a fierce appearance. All their senses are exceedingly acute. 
They live in the deep forests, and feed on roots, fruits, herbs, and nuts of various kinds. They 
pair in January and February, the boars at this period having terrific battles with each other. 
When all the hostile encounters and other preliminaries are settled, each pair betake themselves 
to the deep cover of a thicket, where they remain about thirty days. The period of gestation 
is four months, and the litter consists of from four to ten pigs. When they are produced, 
the female hides them very carefully from the male, as he would otherwise eat them up. In- 
deed, when the season is severe, and provision is not easily obtained, the female does not scruple 
to eat her own offspring. This sometimes happens in the case of the domestic sow, and Shak- 
speare mentions, among the fitting subjects that go to the composition of a diabolical mess, 
"Sow that hath her farrow eaten." 
The hunting of the wild boar was formerly the chosen amusement of the higher gentry of Eu- 
rope. The power and fierceness of the animal rendered the chase hazardous, and this constituted 
a fitting relish to the sport of a rude age. Nobles, princes, and even kings heretofore delighted 
to take the field with the boar-spear and peril their persons in hunting this fierce animal. Nor 
was the hunt the only object, for the flesh is excellent, even superior to that of the domestic ani- 
mal. As history informs us, the huntsmen who pursued the wild boar had keen appetites for the 
game. At the present day a boar-hunt is rare, though the animal exists in the marshes of Italy, 
and even in parts of France, Spain, Germany, and Greece. 
The Domestic Hog, now distinguished by many varieties, is spread over nearly the whole 
civilized world. In this country it is everywhere cultivated, and especially in the Western States. 
Cincinnati* is the center of the pork market of that region; the number killed there annually 
amounts to several millions. They roam in the woods, feeding on herbage and wild fruits and 
nuts, till late in the autumn, when they are taken up and fatted on Indian corn. The breeds in use 
are the Leicester, the Miavii White, the Yorkshire White, and the Kenilworth, all large kinds, 
attaining a weight of six hundred to eight hundred pounds when dressed. The Chinese or Siam 
Hog, which Gervais considers a distinct species, is a small variety, but it is a great breeder, and 
has been useful in improving other breeds by crossing. The Berkshire is an ancient English 
breed, of a buff color, with large black spots and black feet ; it is justly a favorite. The Bedford 
is also much esteemed, and is extensively cultivated. 
* According to the census of 1850, the number of hogs in the United States was about 30,000,000; it doubtless 
greatly exceeds that number at the present time. It is said that the product of the swine market of Cmcmnati alone 
in pork, bacon, lard-oil-now become one of the great staples of the West, being extensively used for machmery of 
all kinds, as well as for other purposes, candles, soap, bristles, &c.— exceeds ten millions of dollars annually. 
