THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 
18$ 
of the hairs grayish-white; and this animal has a gay appearance when 
seen among its more sombre-looking brethren. 
It is a popular belief that pigs are never injured by the poisons 
of snakes; and it is customary to turn a drove of these animals into 
a district infested by such reptiles, which in a short time is usually 
completely cleared of them. It is well known that pigs will destroy 
any rattlesnake they meet with, and this serpent is certainly provided 
with one of the most deadly of poisons, and it is a reptile not at all 
likely to submit to an attack from any quarter without using all its 
powers of defense. It is supposed that the pig receives the bite of the 
enraged snake on its cheek, where the fat and gristle are the thickest, 
and that, as there is little or no blood in that part, the poison is not 
carried through the system, so that the animal experiences no ill-effects 
from the virus. Whenever a serpent is spied, the pig, with erected 
bristles, rushes right upon it, and, indifferent to the formidable fangs 
that are perhaps sticking in its own hide, bites the reptile in pieces and 
then devours it. 
Boar Hunting was, and still is, a very favorite amusement in 
many parts of Europe, where these animals are abundant. It is car¬ 
ried on with all the bright color and show incident upon gay dresses 
and prancing steeds, baying hounds and blasts from the merrily-winded 
horn; and many are the narrow escapes from the desperate charges of 
the infuriated wild boar as, when driven to a stand, with the hounds 
closing around him, he strives to free himself from the ranks of his 
pursuers. It is a feat of no slight danger at such a time to go up to 
him and calmly wait to receive him on the point of the short hunting 
spear. Should the aim be badly taken, or the animal be able to thrust 
the point of the weapon to one side, the glistening tusks would quickly 
deal a fatal wound as the object of his hatred was trampled under foot. 
On the continent of Europe the wild boar disputes the mastery of the 
forests with the great wolves that prowl amidst their recesses; and by 
these snarling, cowardly brutes the flesh of their bristly-coated antago¬ 
nist is eagerly coveted. With young porkers the wolves have not 
much difficulty, and easily dispatch them, provided they find them 
strayed away from the protection of the grim father of the family, or 
their but little less savage mother. It is only in the depth of winter, 
