BOAR (AS. bar, OHG. leer, Ger. Bar, brood bear: cf. Russ. borora, boar). WILD. The com mon and most typical species (Sus scrofc) of wild swine, which exceeds the largest domestic swine in size, and is far superior to them in strength and swiftness. It is grayish-black in color, cov ered with short, woolly hair, thickly interspersed with stiff, coarse bristles, which assume the form of a mane along the spine. The ears are always black. Its great tusks are formidable weapons, but when old the tusks curve over the snout and are no longer serviceable for goring; then, how ever, the teeth of the upper jaw protrude and curve outward, serving the same purpose as the tusks had done. The animal is native in Europe, Asia Elinor. and North Africa, inhabiting the deep recesses of marshy forest grounds. Boars were common in England until the time of Henry II., and then not found until, in the reign of Charles I., an unsuecessful attempt was made to raise them in the New Forest. In the time of the Conqueror any one killing a wild boar was liable to have his eyes put out. Con sult Harting, British Animals Extinct Within IlistorM Times (London, 1880).
It was for centuries a favorite beast of chase with the nobles of Europe, and was hunted chief ly on foot with the spear, aided by a breed of great dogs now nearly extinct, its strength and ferocity rendering the sport alike exhilarating and dangerous. There is little of boar-bunting
now, except upon certain great estates in eastern Europe, where the animals are bred for the purpose of sport. In India, however, the wild boars of that country are pursued and speared by mounted men, who regard 'pig-stick ing' as the most exciting sport the Orient af fords. The courage and tenacity of life ex hibited by pursued and wounded animals are surprising. The animal seeks its food at night, and feeds chiefly on roots and grain, though it will eat smaller animals, birds' eggs, etc. The bristles of the boar are much used for brushes. Besides this one, several other species of boar have been described, of which three at least seem to be valid—Sets vittatus of Asia and Africa, Sus renucosus from Java and Celebes, and Sus barbel us from Borneo. No species of the genus Sus arc natives of America or Australia. See PECCARY; SWINE.