248 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
front are the sharp incisors, specially adapted by their 
shape for biting pieces from any large object, and being 
directed forwards can be used for pulling up plants or 
picking up small objects from the ground. Behind the 
incisors are four large sharp pointed canines, two in each 
jaw, which, in the boar or male animal, grow into great 
curved tusks standing out from the sides of the mouth. It 
is with these that he fights his enemies or digs for food, 
his large muscular neck enabling him to use his tusks with 
great effect. At the back of the mouth are the molars, 
which differ from those of the Horseand Cow. The molars 
of these animals have broad rough surfaces, suitable for 
grinding only—those of the Pig however are broad and 
rough at the back of the row, but short and pointed 
towards the front, as in flesh-eating animals. 
Food. The Pig is naturally omnivorous—as is 
shown by its teeth—its food consisting practically of 
everything eatable, roots, plants of various kinds, insects, 
flesh of animals, and even carrion. With its tapering 
head ending in a broad disc of gristle supported by a 
special bone, it is able to turn up the soil in search of roots 
and worms. On the upper edge of the snout is a hard 
swelling, which greatly assists the animal in the work of 
grubbing. It is to prevent this that the farmer puts a ring 
through the nose; for the Pig, if allowed to run in the 
fields, can do considerable injury by rooting up the pasture 
land. The Pig is proverbially a greedy animal. The 
amount of food it obtained in its wild state varied consider- 
ably with the season ; in autumn the ripe fruit furnished a 
plentiful supply—whilst winter meant a time of scanty 
meals. It was necessary therefore that when food was 
abundant the animal should get as much as possible in 
order to lay up a store in the form of fat, to carry it 
through the winter. The characteristic greed of the 
