If not one of the most agreeable, the Hog--or Pig, as it is oftener
called--is one of the most useful of the domesticated animals. Indeed,
it would be difficult to say how culinary operations could be carried on
without the valuable fat which this creature produces in such plenty,
and to which both cooks and confectioners are so largely indebted.
Besides, there are whole nations who feed almost entirely upon its
flesh; and even its skin and bristles constitute an important item of
manufacturing industry. The facility with which the flesh can be
preserved under the name of bacon, the length of time it may be kept
without the danger of spoiling, combined with the undoubted
wholesomeness of such an article of diet, render it one of the most
convenient articles of provision; and hence in agricultural districts,
and other places far remote from towns, it is an almost universal
article of food.
The number of species that form the group of hogs or swine is very
limited indeed; in all not exceeding half a score. These, however, are
found in endless varieties, and distributed over all the globe, since in
each of the five great divisions one or more indigenous kind of hog has
been found. That which forms the type on which the swine family is
founded, is, of course, the _Common Pig_; and this is supposed to be
descended from the wild boar, so well-known in connection with the chase
during medieval times.
It is superfluous to say that the common hog of our farmyards has been
propagated until an almost countless variety of breeds have been
produced--not only every country, but even single counties or provinces
having a breed of its own. All, however, are so much alike in habits
and general appearance, and their characteristics so well-known, that it
would be idle to give any description of them here. We shall only
remark that the pig, if fairly treated, is by no means an animal of
filthy or dirty habits, as is generally supposed. On the contrary, it
is cleanly in its nature; and its slovenliness is brought upon it by the
manner in which it is styed up, in its own filth. Neither is it a
stupid creature, but possesses considerable intelligence; as is proved
by the tricks which it has been taught to perform under the name of the
"learned pig;" while several individuals have been trained to follow the
gun, and stand to game as stanch as the best pointers. In France it is
not uncommon for the truffle-hunters to use pigs in search of this
favourite esculent--the keenness of scent which the animal possesses
enabling it to find this hidden treasure, just as it does potatoes or
other roots, far under the surface of the ground.
The _Wild Boar_, next to the common domestic variety, is the best known
and most celebrated of the swine. In earlier times it was found in
every part of Europe. Even at this day, it is not rare in the forest
fastnesses of most of the continental countries, and also in Asia. It
was formerly common in England, and the chase of it was a favourite
pastime among the kings and nobles, especially about the time of the
Norman Conquest. In those days the Game laws were certainly harsh
enough--much more so than those of our own time--since William the
Conqueror issued an edict punishing with the _loss of his eyes_ any one
who should be convicted of killing a wild boar!
In Europe the famed boar spear, used in hunting this animal, has given
way to the rifle; but in India, where the field is taken on horseback,
the spear is still in use; and hunting the wild boar is one of the most
exciting of wild sports practised in that country.
The wild boar of India, however, is in some respects different from that
of Europe; and naturalists generally class it as a distinct species.
The _Babirussa_ is another species belonging to the East Indian world:
found principally in the Moluccas and other islands of the Indian
Archipelago. It is of about the same size as the common pig; but of
more slender shape, and stands higher upon its deer-like limbs. The
skin is thinly furnished with soft bristles, and is of a greyish tint,
inclining to fawn colour on the belly. But the most striking character
of the babirussa is to be found in its tusks. Of these there are two
pairs of unequal size. The lower ones are short--somewhat resembling
those of the common boar--whereas the two upper ones protrude through
the skin of the muzzle, and then curve backward like a pair of horns,
and often downward again, so as to form a complete circle! It is not
known for what purpose these appendages exist. The two lower tusks must
be formidable weapons; but the upper ones, especially in old
individuals, can hardly inflict a wound. They may perhaps ward off the
bushes from the eyes of the animal, as it rushes through the thick cover
of its jungly retreat. The females are without these tusks; and are
also much smaller than the males.
The babirussa inhabits marshy thickets and forests; and is hunted for
its flesh--which is highly prized both by the natives and foreigners.
It is very swift and fierce. When pursued or wounded in the chase, it
will show fight like the wild boar of Europe.
The _Papuan hog_, or _bene_, is a native of the Island of New Guinea;
and is characterised by its small stature and slender and graceful form.
Its tusks are not large, and are shaped like the incisor teeth. It is
covered with thick, short, and yellowish-coloured bristles; and when
young it is marked by bright fulvous stripes along the back. The native
Papuans highly esteem its flesh; and on this account it is hunted by
them in the forests where it is found. Its young are often captured,
and brought up in a domesticated state--in order that their flesh may
the more easily be procured. Foreigners, who have visited this island,
relish it as an article of food.
We now come to the hogs of Africa--the Wart-hogs, as they are commonly
called. Of these there are two species; and it would be difficult to
say which is the uglier of the two. In respect of _ugliness_, either
will compare advantageously with any other animal in creation. The
deformity lies principally in the _countenance_ of these animals; and is
caused by two pairs of large protuberances, or warts, that rise upon the
cheeks and over the frontal bone. These excrescences--if we may so call
them--lend to the visage of the creature an aspect positively hideous,
which is rendered still more ugly and fierce-looking by a pair of
formidable tusks curving upward from each jaw. The body is nearly
naked--excepting along the neck and back, where a long bristly mane
gives a shaggy appearance to the animal--especially when these bristles,
of nearly a foot in length, are erected under the impulse of rage.
Other peculiarities are, a pair of whiskers of white curling hair along
the lower jaws; small black eyes surrounded by white bristly hair; a
long tail tufted at the extremity; and on the knees of the fore-legs a
piece of thick callous skin, hard and protuberant. In fact, every
characteristic of this creature seems intended to make his portrait as
disagreeable as may be.
We have said there are two species. These are known as Aelian's
wart-hog and the Cape wart-hog. The former is a native of Abyssinia,
Kordofan, and other countries of North Africa; while the latter, as its
name implies, is found at the Cape--or rather throughout the whole
southern part of the continent. It is the Vlack Vaark of the Dutch
colonists; and this species differs from Elian's wart-hog in having the
cheek protuberances much larger, its head more singularly shaped, and,
if possible, in being _uglier_!
The wart-hog dwells among low bushes and forests. It creeps on its bent
fore-feet in quest of food--sliding along on its knees, and propelling
itself forward by its hind legs. This habit will account for the
callosities already mentioned. In this posture it digs up the ground,
extracting therefrom the roots and bulbs (of which its food is supposed
entirely to consist); for, fierce and hideous as its aspect may be, the
wart-hog is less omnivorous than several other species of the tribe.
And now for the indigenous hogs of America, the _Peccaries_. Of these,
also, there are two species described by naturalists; though certainly a
third kind exists in the South American forests, distinct from the two
that are known.
These are the _Collared Peccary_, or _Coyametl_; and the _White-lipped
Peccary_, or _Tagassou_.
For a long time these two species were confounded with each other; but
it is now proved that they are distinct--not only in size and colour,
but to some extent also in their geographical distribution, their
haunts, and habits.
The Collared Peccary is of small stature: not larger than a half-grown
Berkshire pig. It is thickly covered with hairy bristles of a
greyish-brown colour, and has a whitish band or collar around the neck--
from which circumstance it derives its trivial specific name. Its
geographical range is more extensive than that of its congener. It is
found not only in South America, but throughout the whole of Central and
North America, as far as the borders of the United States territory: in
other words, the limits of its range are co-extensive with what was
formerly _Spanish America_. It exists in Texas; and still further to
the north-west, in New Mexico and California--though nowhere to the east
of the Mississippi river. In Texas it is common enough; and stories are
related of many a redoubtable Texan hunter having been "tree'd"--that
is, forced to take shelter in a tree from a band of peccaries, whose
rage he may have provoked while wandering in their haunts, and too
recklessly making use of his rifle. The same is related as occurring to
South American hunters with the white-lipped peccaries--that have a
similar habit of trooping together in droves, and acting in concert,
both for defence and attack, against the common enemy.
The chief points of distinction between the two species are in the size
and colour. The white-lipped kind is much the larger--frequently
weighing one hundred pounds--while a full-grown individual of the
collared peccary does not exceed in weight over fifty pounds. The
former are of a deeper brown colour, want the white collar around the
neck; but in its stead have a whitish patch around the mouth or lips,
from which also comes their specific appellation. These are also
thicker and stouter, have shorter legs, and a more expanded snout. They
troop together in larger droves, that often number a thousand
individuals of all ages and sizes. Thus united, they traverse extensive
districts of forest--the whole drove occupying an extent of a league in
length--all directed in their march by an old male, who acts as leader.
Should they be impeded in their progress by a river, the chief stops for
a moment to reconnoitre; then plunges boldly into the stream, followed
by all the rest of the troop. The breadth of the river, and the
rapidity of the current, seem to be but trifling obstacles to them; and
are overcome easily, since the peccaries are excellent swimmers. They
continue their onward march through the open grounds; over the
plantations, which, unfortunately for their owners, may chance to lie in
their way; and which they sometimes completely devastate, by rooting out
the whole of the crops of maize, potatoes, sugarcane, or manioc. If
they should meet with any opposition, they make a singular noise--
chattering their teeth like castanets; and if a hunter should chance to
attack them when moving thus, he is sure to be surrounded and torn to
pieces: unless he find some tree or other convenient object, where he
may make escape, by getting out of their reach.
The white-lipped peccaries are found in all the forests of South
America--from the Caribbean Sea to the Pampas of Buenos Ayres. They are
abundant in Paraguay; and Sonnini, the traveller, has observed them in
Guyana. Others report their presence on the Orinoco and its
tributaries--as also on all the waters of the Amazon. Most probably, it
was from the number of these animals observed upon its banks by the
early travellers, that the last-mentioned river obtained one of its
Spanish names--the Rio Maranon--which signifies the "river of the wild
hogs."