# Natural History: Mammalia/Suidæ

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Family III. Suidæ.
(Hogs.)
The Hogs and the Hippopotami, though disagreeing in some important points, may be conveniently grouped together. They have four toes on each foot, which are more cleft than in other Pachydermata, the extremities being incased in hoofs; the central pair of toes are larger than the others, and in most of the genera, their hoofs assume much of the form of those of the Ruminants: in these the lateral toes are shorter, and scarcely touch the ground. In many respects, also, they approximate the Ruminants in the details of the skeleton and the complication of the stomach. They have always incisors and canines; the latter usually project from the mouth in the form of tusks, more or less recurved; and those of one jaw rub against those of the other. The upper lip is much developed; either into a tumid and flattened muzzle, or a truncated and margined snout. They have a short tail, small eyes and ears; a body for the most part massive, more or less round, supported on rather short limbs; the skin is frequently denuded (at least partially) of hair; and there is a copious deposition of fat between the skin and the muscles.
The Family is scattered over the world; though it is not numerous in species. Most of them are natives of Africa; one genus, that of the Peccaries, is confined to South America; and of the true Hogs it is uncertain how far the general distribution may be dependent on domestication, even in countries where it now exists in freedom. ​They all affect moist and marshy places, and one genus is semi-aquatic. Several new species of Sus have recently been discovered in the great Oriental Islands.
Genus Hippopotamus. (Linn.)
The Hippopotamus is generically distinguished by the following characters: four toes on each foot, nearly equal, terminated by small hoofs; six molar teeth on each side of each jaw, the anterior three of which are conical, the others presenting two pairs of points which, when worn down, assume the figure of a trefoil; four incisors in each jaw, those of the upper short, conical, and recurved; those of the lower projecting horizontally, the middle pair long, and cylindrical, the outer pair short, both pointed; canines in both jaws, the upper short, the lower assuming the form of thick, cylindrical, curved tusks, cut off obliquely with a chisel-like edge; the upper short tusk is also worn down obliquely by rubbing against its opponent.
The animals of this genus are of vast bulk, the body being immensely massive, and the head enormous, broad and flattened, with a swollen muzzle inclosing the great incisors and canines. The body is destitute of hair; the legs are short but thick; the tail and the ears are very short; the eyes are small, and set far up on the flat summit of the head. The stomach is divided into several sacs. The hide is coarse, and of immense thickness, being upwards of two inches in depth on the back and sides.
Africa, that continent of uncouth and gigantic animals, is the exclusive home of the Hippopo​tami; which wallow in its great rivers from the Senegal and the Upper Nile to the streams of the Cape Colony. M. Desmoulins considers that the species of the northern rivers is distinct from that of the south, and he distinguishes the two as Hippopotamus Senegalensis, and H. Capensis. The differences, however, are anatomical, and do not affect either the external appearance, or the habits of the animals, so that in a general description we may speak of both as one.
HIPPOPOTAMUS.
The recent zoological investigations of Dr. Smith in South Africa have added many interesting particulars to our knowledge of these huge animals. "In districts fully inhabited by man," ​he observes, "they generally pass the day in the water, and seek their nourishment during the night; but in localities differently circumstanced they often pass a portion of the day as well as the night upon the dry land. In countries in which the night-time constitutes the only safe period for their leaving the water, they are generally to be seen effecting their escape from it immediately before dark, or are to be heard doing so soon after the day has closed, and according to the state of the surrounding country; they then either directly commence feeding, or begin a journey towards localities where food may exist. When, previous to nightfall, they may have been in pools or rivers, they are generally at once enabled to commence feeding on reaching the dry land: but when they may have passed the day in the sea, they require commonly to proceed some distance after leaving it, before they find the grass which appears congenial to their palate. It is not every description of grass that Hippopotami seem to relish: they often pass over in search of food, luxurious green swards, which would strongly attract many other animals which feed upon grass."
When undisturbed, the Hippopotamus is quiet and inoffensive; or at least is injurious only by his depredations on cultivated grounds. But attacked and hard pressed he becomes furious, and rushing with open jaws on his enemy, his giant strength and overwhelming impetus render him a formidable adversary. In a boat it is dangerous to irritate him. Captain Owen records an incident that had nearly been fatal. A party being engaged in exploring a river, a violent shock was suddenly felt beneath the boat, when suddenly ​"a monstrous Hippopotamus reared itself up from the water, and in a most ferocious and menacing attitude rushed open-mouthed at the boat, and with one grasp of its tremendous jaws seized and tore seven planks from her side. The creature disappeared for a few seconds, and then rose again, apparently intending to repeat the attack, but was fortunately deterred by the contents of a musket discharged in its face. The boat rapidly filled, but as she was not more than an oar's length from the shore they succeeded in reaching it before she sank. The keel, in all probability, had touched the back of the animal, which, irritating him, occasioned this furious attack; and had he got his upper jaw above the gunwale, the whole broadside must have been torn out. The force of the shock from beneath, previously to the attack, was so violent that her stern was almost lifted out of the water, and Mr. Tombs, the midshipman steering, was thrown overboard, but fortunately rescued before the irritated animal could seize him."
The flesh of this vast creature, which has been compared to an immense, overgrown prize-pig, is much esteemed as an article of food. In South Africa it is in high request with the colonists, and we are told that the epicures of Cape Town do not disdain to use their influence with the country farmers to obtain a preference in the matter of Sea-cow's speck, as the fat which lies immediately under the skin is called when salted and dried. Out of its thick hide, excellent whips are manufactured. They are said to be made by cutting the fresh skin into triangular strips five ​or six feet in length; one end of the strip is pointed, and it gradually widens till the breadth at the upper end is equal to the intended circumference of the bulk of the whip. The strip is then rolled up so as to form a conical pipe, and being firmly bound to keep it in place, is dried in the sun. A light, elastic, and durable whip is produced by this process. The great tusks of the Hippopotamus are composed of the very best ivory, and are imported into Europe in great numbers, where they bear a high price. They are largely used in the construction of artificial teeth, for which their whiteness well adapts them.
Though scarcely less bulky than the Elephant, the shortness of its legs makes the Hippopotamus seem much smaller; it rarely exceeds five feet in height. Its general colour is described as dusky brownish red, passing on the sides and limbs into a light purple red or brown: the under parts, the lips, and the eyelids are light wood-brown, with a tinge of flesh-colour; the hinder and lower parts are freckled with dusky brown. Le Vaillant observes, that when seen beneath the water, the skin appears of a deep blue.
Genus Sus. (Linn.)
In the Hogs we find two large middle toes to each foot, armed with strong pointed hoofs, and two small lateral ones which hardly touch the ground. They have six incisor teeth in each jaw, which slant forward; the canines project from the mouth and curve upward, forming angular tusks; the molars are seven on each side of each jaw, beset with tubercles. The muzzle ​is lengthened into a moveable snout, the extremity of which is truncated, and expanded into a circular disk, fitted for turning up the earth. Cuvier remarks that there is an observable approximation in the Hogs to the Carnivora, especially in the form of the skull; and it is well known that Swine search eagerly for worms, and insects, and that they will not refuse the flesh of larger animals.
WILD BOAR.
The Wild Hog (Sus scrofa, Linn.) from which we may without much doubt trace the parentage of our common domestic breeds, was formerly the tenant of the dense forests of Britain, as it is still of the wooded parts of the continent. In the reign of Henry II., Fitzstephen mentions it with ​other wild animals as ranging the woods around London:—"On the north [of the city] are corn-fields and delightful meadows, intermixed with pleasant streams on which stands many a mill, whose clack is so grateful to the ear; beyond them an immense forest extends itself, beautified with woods and groves, and full of the layers and coverts of beast and game, stags, bucks, boars, and wild bulls."
"The chace of the Wild Boar," observes Mr. Bell, "has always been considered as a sport presenting the highest interest and excitement, and it is certainly one of the most dangerous. The old males are preferred to those of a less advanced age, as being less swift in their flight, both on account of their greater obesity, and the confidence which they feel in their own strength; they are also less dangerous, as their tusks are much more curved, and are thus less capable of inflicting severe and well-directed wounds. When once at bay, the Boar becomes indiscriminately furious. He turns on his persecutors, and strikes at the nearest, often ripping open the belly of a horse or dog; and the hunter himself is in no little jeopardy, if he be on foot, or his horse have thus been disabled." "When roused by the hunter and his dogs, the old Boar retreats sullenly and slowly, gnashing his teeth, foaming with rage, and often stopping to rush with furious impetuosity on his pursuers. The foremost dogs are sure to suffer, several falling by as many strokes. An instance is on record, in which a Boar turned suddenly on a pack of fifty dogs which were pursuing him, and instantly killed ​six or seven of them, wounding all the rest with the exception of ten." In India, boar-hunting is a favourite and exciting amusement among the European residents. The hunters are always mounted on horseback, and are armed with javelins which they throw at the animal as he runs away, or rushes to the charge; his assaults are frequently so furious that the horses will not stand the shock, or if they do, are thrown down and severely gored. Mr. Johnson has related an instance in which a large and resolute Boar, having been driven by the hunters into a plain, stood at bay, challenging the whole party: he charged every horse that advanced within fifty yards of him, with great ferocity, causing them to rear and plunge, and throw their riders, whose lives were in jeopardy. Though many of the horses were accustomed to the sport, none would sustain the animal's impetuous charges, nor bring their riders within javelin distance, and at length he fairly drove the whole party off the field; then, gnashing his teeth, and foaming, he made his way to the jungle where it was useless to attempt to pursue him further.
The food of the Hog, as is well known, consists of acorns, beech-mast, grain, and succulent vegetables; as well as of various fleshy and farinaceous roots, worms, and larvæ, which he ploughs up with his snout: he will hardly refuse any animal or vegetable garbage that falls in his way. In a state of freedom he feeds chiefly by night, retiring by day to his lair, which is remarkably clean and warm, formed in some cave, or beneath the gnarled roots of a tree, and well supplied with dry leaves. ​The usual colour of the Wild Boar is rusty black, or brown, more or less brindled. The females and young associate in herds, but the old boars are for the most part solitary, and very savage.
The domestic Hog, though perfectly useless during life, is perhaps the most important of those which are reared for the value of their flesh as human food. None is so productive; the sow bearing two litters in the year, and having from eight to twelve, or even more young ones at a birth. None converts a given quantity of corn or other nutritious food so soon into fat, or can be made fat on so great a variety of food.
There are several very valuable breeds of Swine in this country, produced by judicious crossings. The largest animals are not the best. Fertility, a capacity of fattening with rapidity and with the least expense, the smallness of the bones, and the firmness and sweetness of the flesh, with its readiness to receive salt,—are objects of higher importance than mere bulk. The small pigs of the Chinese breed are remarkable for productiveness, and the rapidity with which they fatten without enlarging their bone. The Chinese hog is short in the head, with wide cheeks, the ears are erect, the chine is high, and the legs are so short that the belly almost touches the ground. The cross from this variety has been very advantageous to the English breeds.
​The Neapolitan hog has also been introduced with success; it is black, without hair, very plump, with pricked ears. No breed can excel it in aptitude to become fat, even on scanty food, but it is of a tender and delicate constitution. A cross between this and the pure black Essex hog, which very closely resembles it, fattens at a very early age, and to an astonishing degree. Of some of this breed, shewn at Smithfield, and which gained prizes for several successive years, it is said that "at twenty-two weeks old they were so completely covered with fat, that their feet were scarcely to be seen; and if they could stand, which is doubtful, it is certain they could not walk."
The Berkshire is a well-shaped hog, with short legs, small ears, broad chines and loins, and good hams. This, crossed with the Neapolitan, produces an excellent variety.
It is a great error to suppose that swine love dirt. With plenty of dry litter, space, and water, the Hog will keep himself scrupulously clean, and will thrive all the better. Even the trouble of washing and currying him frequently will be well repaid.
* ↑ Owen's "Narrative of Voyages, &c."
* ↑ Brit. Quad. 359.
* ↑ Pict. Museum, i. 98.