160 THE WILD BOAR. 
it is a singular fact, that this animal had 
found its way to the most sequestered islands 
of the Pacific Ocean, though it did not exis^ 
in America until introduced there hy the Spf^' 
niards. In most parts of that continent th^ 
hog has multiplied to such a degree that d 
now runs wild in the woods ; but how 
when it was carried to the South Sea island® 
is a problem which is not likely ever to 
solved. 
The wild boar was, without doubt, the oi’i' 
ginal stock of our common swine, the only 
difference between them being such as 
readily be supposed to exist between the n'd 
and the domesticated animal. It was formerly 
a native of Britain, as it appears from 
laws of the Welsh Prince Hoel Dha, who p^^ 
mitted his grand huntsman to chase that aP’ 
mal from the middle of November to 
beginning of December. William the 
queror decreed that all persons convicted ^ 
