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 jave-
lins 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.[1]
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 larve, 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.
- ↑ Pict. Museum, i. 98.
