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.”[1] ‘‘ 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
- ↑ Brit. Quad. 359.
