A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishesHumphreys, Phebe Westcott
History
A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishes
Humphreys, Phebe Westcott
Natural history -- Juvenile literature
To this family belong the Hogs Proper, the Peccaries, the Wart Hog and
the Babiroussas.
THE WILD BOAR.
[Illustration: WILD BOARS.]
The Wild Boar, supposed to be the stock from which all our domesticated
Pigs take their origin, is very different in its habits from the swinish
multitudes with which it is looked upon as nearly related; his long
prismatic tusks, curving outwards and slightly upwards on each side of
his mouth, are weapons which he knows full well how to wield; and from
the strength of his neck and the activity of his movements, by their
assistance he is enabled to repel the attacks of all ordinary foes.
The chase of the wild Boar has been from remote antiquity one of the
most dangerous of field-sports, for when once at bay, the furious
creature attacks indiscriminately Men, Dogs and Horses, ripping them
with his tusks, and often inflicting frightful wounds upon his
assailants.
In India, Boar-hunting is a favorite amusement. The hunters are always
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 often thrown down and
severely injured.
THE WART HOGS.
[Illustration: WART HOGS.]
The Wart Hogs, which resemble the true Hogs, are distinguished from them
by the structure of their molar teeth. A fleshy excrescence hangs down
on each side of their cheeks, which gives them a repulsive appearance.
There are several species to be found in Africa, of which country they
are natives. They are very courageous, and possessed of immense
strength. Their habits are similar to those of the Wild Boar. The Cape
Wart Hog, found at the Cape of Good Hope, is probably the best known.
THE PECCARIES.
The Peccaries are animals which are peculiar to America. They resemble
the common Pig in their general shape and in their teeth, but their
canine tusks do not project from the mouth, and they have no tail.
The Collared Peccary is eaten in South America, and is considered a
wholesome article of food. The White-lipped Peccary, which is found in
Guiana, is larger and more strongly built than the others.
THE HORSE FAMILY.
[Illustration: SHETLAND PONIES.]
This includes all quadrupeds that have but a single toe or hoof on each
foot—the Horse, the Domestic Ass (or Donkey), the Hemionus (or
Dshikketee), the Dauw (or Peechi), the Zebra and the Quagga.
The subjection of the Horse to Man may be traced back to the most
primitive date. Moses recommends the Hebrews to have no dread in war of
the Horses of their enemies. We read in the Book of Kings (I Kings iv,
26) that “Solomon had 40,000 stalls for his Horses, and 12,000
horsemen.” According to the same book, these Horses were bought in Egypt
and brought into the country of the Hebrews.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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