T H E D E A D HOG.
The lenglh of iho lusk is mostly proporlioiied to the size of the boar ; though
tliis is by no means a rule; for young hogs of no great size often possess nunuM
oiis teelh. Generally speaking, a full grown boar, of perhaps a yard high,
may liavo four or live inches clear of the jaw, and as much more inserted into
lU 1 have killed a boar whose tooth being extracted, which is done by boiling
for a long time, measured upwards of ten inches; and I have seen a tooth of
full eleven. The possessor of the lallcr assured me that he was one of five who
sat between the neck and tail of the boar from which it had been taken. The
natives enlerlain an opinion lhal. the wounds made by hogs" leetii are venomous;
and indeed the general ellects of them are often alarming. Those who keep
their wounds clean, seldom fail to have ihem healed speedily ; tlie extreme
temperance of the natives renders their constilution peculiarly favourable on
such occasions. I cannot say that I ever knew an instance of an unpleasant
termination.
Il is curious that in the same jungles great diversities with regard to the
breeds of the wild hogs are often found. Some being like the China breed,
remarkably round and compact, having short heads and legs; others long sided
with hollow backs ; some again with arched backs, long limbs, very stiff bristles
the whole length of the spine, and perfectly distinct from tlie rest both in
appearance and in gait. This does not relate Lo individual hogs, but may
be traced through particular litters produced annually in the same covers, or at
all events found in tlieir vicinity. This probably results from the habits of the
wild boars, which may often be seen among tame herds, wlience they debar
tlie domesticated males; and we may again conclude with some shew of probability,
that tame boars sometimes in their strayings through bunds or grass
covei-s intermix with ihe wild sows. It is a remarkable fact, that the genuine
breed of wild iiogs, can be found only in heavy grass covers renjote from
population.
The characteristics of the wild species are as follow: a broad flat forehead,
short pricked ears, rather round at their tips, and lying very close to I he neck,
the eye full, with much display of the cornea, or white, when in action, the
liead short, with a very deep jowl, thickly furnished with hair inclined to curl,
a very muscular neck, a high shoulder, the back very nearly straight, the loins
broad, the bristles thick on the neck and shoulders, and gradually falling in
with the general coating of black hair as they approach the loins; tlie tail
rather short, and, like the elephant's, near the tip armed with stilV lateral
bristles, giving the resemblance of the wings on an arrow. This last point may
be considered as the true Lest, and is probably the most marked distinction
nature has anywhere displayed between the wild and tame breeds of the same
genus. Farther; the haunch of a wild hog is ])eculiaily well turned, the legs are
very strong and compact, the claws well proportioned, the barrel rather round,
and the chest remarkably well formed and deej). All wild hogs are black, l)ul
as they become old, their wiskers, and indeed tlie tips of their hairs in general,
turn grey. After a certain age their tusks begin to decay ; and whether from
choice, or that the younger males gain an ascendency with the lierd, old boars
are generally found se[)arate, and in excellent plight.
As soon as the villagers perceive a chase, they, in general, run to be in at the
death; that is to say after the death; for except here and there that a bold
fellow may be found, who being armed with a spear, or a tulivur (or broadsword),
joins in the chase, the natives rather consider tlieir safety and emolument
than receive any pleasure from the pursuit. The tame hog is held in detestation
among the Mussulmans, who will, however, lend a hand at times to destroy a
wild one : indeed though many casts, or sects, of Hindoos, cat pork, the generality
hold it as much in abhorrence as the Mussulmans do. Some make a distinction
between the wild and tiie tame: the former invariably are clean feeders,
never touching carrion, or oflal, which tame hogs delight in all over the world.
By this it will be understood that such natives as repair to the hunt, are ininduced
either by the hope of reward, for their trouble in conveying the dead
animal to the encampment, or by the wish to participate. Harry-wallahs, that
is to say a sect usually considered as of the lowest order, and only employed in
the most menial and fdthy avocations, arc mostly appointed to carry the
animal, either on a bamboo, or pole, or on a bedstead brought from some
neighbouring village. In either mode four persons generally suffice lo bear the
burthen, though I have seen a few large boars, which required more powers to
support iheir biers. The gratuity assigned to such as contribute their aid on
these occasions, is generally very ample, and no doubt often creates a secret
wish thai all the game hunted may bend iheir course lo that quarter.
A pleasant scene arises as the several syces (or grooms) and other attendants
arrive at the place where the hog lies dead, and where the seated sportsmen
commence their details and remarks. The interjectory isau!.'.' wau!!!
signifying the highest degree of surprise and approbation, is ever pronounced
most emphatically by each servant or villager, as he arrives panting, among the
groupe. Tlie gentlemen are complimented in the highest strains of hyperbole,
such as would astonish persons unaccustomed to the fulsome panegyric of the
East. During this, the fatal spear is drawn, sometimes requiring considerable
force to extricate it. The streams of perspiration are absorbed, and the tired
si/ces, having previously fastened their bhaug-dures to their horses bits, refresh
their fatigued limbs around the fallen prey. This is however an unsafe practice,
both on account of the great propensity before noticed in the horses to flight, and
that great danger of the dry gripes is to be apprehended in India, if horses be
suddenly cooled. The practices common in Europe, of watering, washing, and
tying up heated cattle as soon as dismounted, would speedily thin regiments of
cavalry pursuing such a course. It is often the case that, owing to negligence
in this particular, valuable horses die very suddenly. European farriers, and
others, rarely fail to kill such as they attempt lo doctor on these occasions :
their common recourse is to spirits and heating drugs; whereas experience has
established that reliance can be placed only on anodyne medicines. If a horse
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