528 
VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
high breeding than this ; and the legs should be no longer than, 
when fully fat, would just prevent the animal’s belly from trailing 
upon the ground. The leg is the least profitable portion of the hog, 
and we, therefore, require no more of it than is absolutely necessary 
for the support of the rest. See that the feet be firm and sound ; 
that the toes lie well together, and press straightly upon the ground; 
as also that the claws are even, upright, and healthy. The de- 
scription of head most likely to promise, or rather to be the con- 
comitant of, high breeding, is one not carrying heavy bone, not too 
flat on the forehead, or possessing a too elongated snout : indeed, 
the snout should, on the other hand, be short, and the forehead 
rather convex, recurving upwards; and the ear should be, while 
pendulous, inclining somewhat forward, and at the same time 
light and thin. Nor would I have the buyer even to pass over 
the carriage of a pig. If this be dull, heavy, and dejected, I 
would be disposed to reject him, on suspicion of ill health, if not of 
some concealed disorder actually existing, or just about to break 
forth ; and there cannot be a more unfavourable symptom than a 
hung-down slouching head, carried as though it were about to be 
employed as a fifth leg. Of course, if you are purchasing a fat 
hog for slaughter, or a sow heavy with young, you are scarcely to 
look for much sprightliness of deportment; but I am alluding more 
particularly to the purchase of young stores, the more general, 
because the more profitable, branch of pig management. 
Nor is colour altogether to be lost sight of. In the case of pigs, 
I would, as in reference to any other description of live stock, pre- 
fer those colours which are characteristic of our most esteemed 
breeds. If the hair be scant, I would look for black, as denoting 
connexion with the delicate Neapolitan ; but if too bare of hair, I 
would be disposed to apprehend too intimate alliance with that 
variety, and a consequent want of hardihood that, however unim- 
portant if pork be the object, renders such animals hazardous 
speculations as stores, from their extreme susceptibility to cold, and 
consequent liability to disease. If white, and not too small , I 
would like them, as exhibiting connexion with the Chinese. If 
light or sandy, or red with black marks, I would recognize our 
favourite Berkshire ; and so on with reference to every possible 
variety of hue. These observations may appear trivial ; but I can 
assure my readers that the) r are the most important I have yet 
made, and that the intended pig buyer will find his account in 
attending to them. 
Pigs, fyc. By H. D. Richardson. 
