rises in pronouncing the former to be
the stock from whence we have derived the latter. In common, however,
with all other free and domesticated animals, there is a prolongation of
muzzle in the wild species, which is not to be found in those of our
sties. The tusks also are larger; in this instance, as in all others,
showing how bountifully the Great Creator provides for all. The domestic
hog is not required to seek his food and dig roots as his untamed
brother does, and, therefore, the parts most used for these purposes are
not equally developed. Both, however, possess very powerful muscles of
the neck and shoulder, to give movement to their large and strong jaws.
They all have four toes on each foot; the two in the middle being much
the largest and armed with strong hoofs. Their snout looks as if it had
been suddenly chopped off, as if to expose the nostrils, which are
pierced in this truncated portion. Their triangular, canine teeth, or
tusks, project beyond the mouth; those of both jaws curve upwards. They
make very formidable weapons, as many a dog and huntsman has known to
his cost. Wild hogs are covered with stiff, dark brown hair, which gets
grizzly with age, and is more upright along the back. The tail is short;
and in many varieties of the domestic pig, it curls very tightly.

The male wild boar only associates with the female for a short period,
and at other times lives alone, in the thickest parts of dense forests;
coming forth in the evening to procure his food, which is chiefly of a
vegetable nature. It is only when pressed by hunger, that wild hogs will
eat animal substances. The females herd together, and their young
remain with them till they are two or three years old. When they are
about to be born, the mothers retreat as far as possible from the
fathers, as the latter have a most longing desire always to devour their
offspring. The females, left to defend themselves and their children,
place the latter behind them, and expose themselves in a line to the
attacks of an enemy, or they form a circle round them, and evince an
extraordinary amount of fury and courage. Sparrman, the South African
traveller asserts, that the species of wild sow in those regions, when
so closely pursued that it is impossible for them to make off, take the
young pigs in their mouths. To his astonishment, one day, when pursuing
a herd, all the young ones disappeared, nor could he explain the mystery
till aware of this singular