BOAR, Wild, a ferocious, swift-footed species (Sus scrofa) of wild swine, made dangerous by its extreme courage and superior strength. It is found in marshy forest-grounds of Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa. The boar is much larger than the domesticated swine; and covered with short, grayish-black, woolly hair, thickly interspersed with stiff bristles, assuming the form of a crest along the spine. The great tusks of the lower jaw are formidable weapons in youth, but later become useless by curving over the snout, when the teeth of the upper jaw which protrude and curve out take their place as weapons. The boar seeks its food at night and feeds on roots, grain and small animals, birds' eggs, etc. Besides this species, several others exist, notable among which are Sus vittatus of Asia and Africa, Sus verrucosus of Java, and the Celebes and Sus barbatus of Borneo. No species of the genus Sus are natives of America or Australia. Boars
were common in England until the time of Henry II, when they seemed to disappear for the time being, reappearing again in the reign of Charles I, when an attempt was made to raise them in New Forest. It resulted in fail ure. Formerly the sport of hunting this animal •with the aid of great dogs (boarhounds) was the favorite amusement of the nobles of France and Germany, but is now rarely followed except in a few estates in eastern Europe, where the animal is preserved for the purpose. In India, however, the chase of the wild boars of that country, usually called "pig-sticking," is still foremost among the field-sports of the Anglo Indians. Consult Harting, 'British Animals Extinct within Historic Times' (London 1880), and Johnston, 'British Mammals' (ib. 1903).