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SWINE.

THE WILD BOAR.

THIS animal, which is the original of all the varieties to be found in the hog species, is much smaller than the domestic kind; and does not, like them, vary in colour, but is uniformly of a brindled grey, inclining to black. His snout is considerably longer than that of the tame hog, and his ears are short, round, and black. Each jaw is also armed with formidable tusks, with which he ploughs up the earth like a furrow, in search of roots, &c.; with these also he inflicts terrible wounds on his enemies.

The wild boar cannot properly be called either a solitary or a gregarious animal. The three first years the whole litter follow the sow, and the family live in a herd together, and unite their common forces against the invasions of the wolf, or the more formidable beasts of prey. But when the wild boar is arrived at a state of maturity, he walks the forest alone and fearless. At that time he dreads no single creature, nor does he

turn out of his way even for man himself. He does not seek danger, and he does not seem to avoid it.

The chase of the animals is dangerous; but a common amusement with the great in those countries where it is to be found. The dogs used for this sport are of the slow heavy kind; as those trained for hunting the stag or roebuck would too soon come up with their prey, and instead of a chase, would only furnish an engagement.

When the boar is roused, he goes slowly forward, not much afraid, and at no great distance from his pursuers. He frequently turns round, stops till the hounds come up, and attempts to attack them; but as these are perfectly aware of their danger, they keep off, and bay him at a distance. After gazing at each other with equal animosity, the boar again goes forward, till at length he becomes perfectly fatigued, and refuses to proceed any further. The dogs then attempt to close in upon from behind, and though many of the younger ones lose their lives in consequence of their temerity, the others keep him at bay till the huntsmen come up and dispatch him with their

spears.

These animals are found in almost all the temperate parts of Europe and Asia, as well as in some of the upper parts of Africa.

In former times, the wild boar was a native of Britain, as appears from the laws of Norval Ddar, the famous Welsh legislator, who permitted his grand huntsman to chase that animal from the middle of November to the beginning of December.

William the Conqueror also punished such as were convicted of killing the wild boar in his forests with the loss of their eyes.

1 to

carcases.

THE SOW.

THE common or domestic hog is, generally speaking, a very harmless animal. He lives for the chief part on vegetables, yet can devour the most putrescent He is, however, generally supposed much more indelicate than he is really. He selects, at least the plants of his choice, with equal sagacity and niceness, and is never poisoned like some other animals by mistaking noxious for wholesome food. No animal has a greater sympathy for those of his own kind. The moment one of them gives a signal, all within hearing rush to his assistance. They have been known to gather round a dog that teased them and kill him on the spot; and if a male and female be inclosed in a stye when young, and be afterwards separated, the female will decline from the instant her companion is removed, and will probably die of a broken heart.

In the island of Minorca, hogs are converted into beasts of draught; a cow, a sow, and two young horses, have been there seen yoked together, and of the four the sow drew the best.

A gamekeeper of Sir H. Mildmay actually broke a black sow to find game, and to back and stand. Slut, which was the name he gave her, was rendered as staunch as any pointer. After Sir Henry's death this pig pointer was sold by auction for a very considerable sum of money.

The hog is one of those animals that are doomed to clear the earth of filth and refuse, and that convert the most nauseous offals into the richest nutriment. The thickness of his hide and fat renders the hog almost insensible of ill treatment, and instances have occurred of mice eating their way into the fat on the back of

one of these animals without incommoding the creature. Although naturally inoffensive, he possesses powers which, when called into action, render him a very formidable enemy. He is, however, stupid, inactive, and drowsy; and nothing but the calls of appetite interrupt his repose, to which he always returns as soon as these are satisfied.

The female goes four months with young, and has numerous litters, from eight to fifteen at a time, and sometimes even twenty. These animals live to the age of twenty-five or thirty years.

Swine, as well as other animals, are subject to various diseases, although not so frequently; nor are their maladies attended with such fatal consequences. Swine are frequently troubled with lice or ticks, hence their desire to wallow and roll in miry places and bogs; as soon as the dirt is dry it will easily rub off, and thus they are freed of the vermin; at the same time lying down in such places cools their bodies, for no animals have such a hot constitution as swine. Dirt, however, is by no means good or wholesome for them, nor do they fatten so freely when pent up closely in a stye, and allowed to wallow constantly in their own dung : hence the chief cause of disease.

One instance of the heat of their bodies is, that they have been known to fatten much quicker and better in cool, moist, and shady woods, and where much food was not visible than in hot inclosures; although a quantity of food has been given them with the trouble of seeking it. Consequently no food of a heating nature should be given them in any abundance, and at all times they should have free access to water.

The general symptoms of illness with swine, is a dull, heavy look, their ears hang listlessly down, and all appetite leaves them, nor does it return till they

are perfectly well again; unhealthiness in these animals may be discovered by drawing the hand over the bristles in an opposite direction to their growth; if the roots be white and clean the pig is sound, but if the skin is speckled with a reddish cast, he is unhealthy.

THE MEASLES

Is discovered by looking under the tongue, where a quantity of small black blisters are found; considerable weakness in the hind-legs exist, and the flesh is spotted with red.

Give the following dose :

1 ounce,

Crude Antimony, (powdered) mixed in a little water or wash, then keep him in the stye from three to four hours. If this does not effect a cure repeat the dose.

Brimstone in the pig's wash is esteemed very excellent.

SORES AND CRACKED EARS.

THE udder of a sow is subject at times to glandular swellings. Camphorated saturnine washes or ointments may be used in such cases. Half a drachm of calomel may be administered occasionally till the swelling has subsided. Cracked ears, and other sores of the same description, may be rubbed with saturnine

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