BOAR, WILD, the Sus ScrYit of sytematic natu ralists. The description and habits of this animal will be found under the article MAN1N/ALIA. In the present article we shall merely give a short ac count of the method of killing and hunting the boar.
The wild boar abounds in various parts of Europe and Asia, and also in the north of Africa ; and in every country that it frequents, it affords a barbarous amusement to the natives.
The best season for hunting boars is between September and December, before they go to rut. The oldest boars are the best subjects for this sport, as they do not run far, and often stop to repel the dogs ; while the young boar runs to a great distance, and does not allow the dogs to approach it As the boar leaves a strong odour behind him, and moves very slowly, trained mastiffs -are preferable to fine hunting dogs, which would lose the •power of their nose, and acquire a habit of moving slowly. When the dogs are in full chace, -the huntsman rides into the middle of them, and impedes and .disheartens the boar by _charging •him with his spear. When .the animal finds a place of shelter, he will stand at bay, and attack the dogs as they attempt to seize him.
In this .situation the huntsmen generally strike the boar with their spear or lance;. but this is done with the utmost caution, as he attempts .to catch their spear upon his snout or-tusk, and often attacks them in the most ferocious manner. The blow is generally aimed between the eyes, or on the shoulder, where it commonly proves fatal. When he attacks the hunts man, he .sometimes endeavours to catch the spear in his mouth, and when he succeeds in this attempt, the huntsman will infallibly fall a prey to him, unless an other person attacks him behind. The boar returns upon his second opponent, and is sure to fall under this system of alternate attack. The dogs are some times provided with bells round their necks, which often prevent the boar from attacking them.
In the.year 1787, a boar of an extraordinary size near Cognac in Angoumois, resisted all the attempts of the huntsmen, and killed several dogs and men whenever he was attacked. He was at length slain, and several bullets were found between his skin and flesh. See Buffon's Hist. Nat. tom. ix.; and Sonni ni's Travels, p. 348, &c. (j) •