The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-19
THE wATTLED HOG.
Nature Did Not Provide it with This
Peculiar Growth for Nothing.
Washfupton Post

Nest every resident OF the South or
West, as well those who although at
present residents OF WASHINGTON. have IN
former years lived In either one or the
other of the above-named sections, has seen
or knows something about "wattled hogs. -
Ii appears that during the early settlement
OF the region beyond the Appalach3a
range there appeared a race of swine re-
markable for the peculiar elongated ex-
creseences of skin, gristle and flesh growing
outward and depending from either jowl,
which the early settlers termed "wattles
These singular arowths were generally
from six to eight inches i'm length. and were
Joined 10 the skin of the jowl by a narrow
neck. while the main or lower part OF the
waffle thickened out, until I'm some cases
they measured nearly two and three inches
in diameter, always terminating i'm a mar
row tip from which grew heavy tuft OF
hair.
Swine of this character are stu found
In many parts eff the West, while tn the
South they are almost as numerous as they
were sixty years ago In view OF the fact
that every animal mechanism has some
definite function to perform I'm promoting
the welfare, safety and protection OF the
beings possessing the same, people have
often wondered what earthly use the wat
ties could be to the swine above described,
for as near as they could see they filed no
useful purpose whatever.
IL will be interesting to many who doubt
less have often wondered what useful func-
ton these wattles could I'LL I'm the economy
of nature, TO learn the following from
Prof. w. j. MCGEE who offers a very satis-
factory explanation as To the use Of thece
singular and unsightly appendages OF the
old-fashioned Western swine. Speaking 10
a Post reporter he said:
During my boyhood days on a farm in
Iowa wattled hogs were az numerous as
the more improved kinds are to-day. In
fact they were all over the West. and no.
where very popular. Most farmers were
getting rid of this peculiar stock by cross
ing them with improved varieties. and the
question as 10 what use the animals found
for their peculiar wattles was as great a
mystery then as II Is to-day IN sections
where hogs OF this race still exist. How
ever, there was a general and widespread
belief at the time that while other hogs
that nature had not endowed with wattlcs
were most certain TO cut their threats and
drown whenever they undertook To swim
creeks, rivers or ponds. the wattled hog
could swim any distance without mourning
the least injury TO its throat. Waited
hogs never drown, was common saying
at the time. and on Investigation I discov-
cred that far from being farmers super
stition the belief was founded On fact,
For time / failed 10 understand why
such was the case. until one day. happen-
Ing 10 observe several Waited hogs swim
ming across a stream Of rather clear
water. saw at one glance just what func-
ton those wattles perform. Once In the
water the wattles drifted back by the cur
rent against the throat. so that I'm swim
ming the sharp hoofs OF the animal strike
not against the throat, but upon the we.-
ties. thus preventing their sharp hoofs
from cutting into the jugular. IN short,
these wattles serve 20 protect the thr0ef 81
the hog from it's sharp hoofs while IL n
swimming. IL is certainly a very curious
provision of nature, and one which enables
a hog 10 swim without injury. The wat
ties may be cut and bleeding after long
swim. but they soon heal. and no great in
| jury would be done 10 the animal, even IL
| they were cut entirely through"