428 
UNGULATES. 
The lower tusks of the male wild boar, which project about 3 inches from 
the jaw, and are kept with edges as sharp as razors by wear against those of the 
upper jaw, are most formidable weapons, capable of ripping open a horse at 
a single stroke. Both the European and the Indian species are among the boldest 
and fiercest of all animals, charging men, horses, or elephants time after time 
without a moment's hesitation, and in spite of the most desperate wounds. Indeed, 
the injuries that a wild boar will sustain without loss of life aie peifectly 
marvellous. A correspondent of the Asian newspaper relates that he once killed 
an old boar, in the skull of which the broken extremity of the tusk of another 
BERKSHIRE PIG ( T \ nat. size). 
boar was firmly embedded, with its point penetrating into the brain-cavity a short 
distance behind the left eye. 
Although the speed of a wild pig is considerable, yet it cannot be maintained 
for any long distance, and accordingly, either a boar or a sow may be easily over¬ 
taken by a well-mounted horseman after a comparatively short run. Both as 
regards speed and inclination to fight there is, however, considerable local variation 
among the wild pigs of India; the large heavily-built animal found in Bengal 
being much more disposed to show fight than the lighter pig of the Punjab, which 
has a greater turn of speed. In spite of its boldness, the Indian wild boar seldom 
makes unprovoked attacks; but when once ronsed nothing will stop it. An instance 
is on record of a boar charging, overthrowing, and ripping open a camel; and 
there are several well-authenticated cases of boars having attacked and killed or 
beaten off tigers. 
