the sty, as if to guard against its effects. The hog is much disturbed by the distressful cries of its own species, nor does any animal appear to have greater sympathy for those of its own kind. The moment one of them gives the signal of distress, all within hearing rush to its assistance. They have been known to gather round a dog that teased them, and killed him on the spot. And if a male and female be enclosed in a sty, when young, the female will decline, from the instant her companion is removed, and will probably die of a broken heart. Intemperance is the cause of many diseases to which this animal is subject, as measles, imposthumes, scrofulous swellings, &c. - Happy would it be for man, if he would take warning from this example, and avoid the bad effects of every kind of excess. The hog delights to wallow in the mire, either to cool himself, or to destroy a sort of insect with which heis infested. Notwithstanding his sensuality, he will live to the age of eighteen or twenty years, if permitted. The female goes with young, between four and five months, and produces from ten to twenty at a litter, twice every year, till she is fifteen years old. Although the hog passes a life of inactivity, totally useless to man, he makes him ample recompence at his death, for the care and expense bestowed on him. His flesh is nourishing and wholesome food for persons who take much ex ercise; but those of delicate constitutions, and such as lead a sedentary life, should eat but sparingly of it. It furnishes our tables with various delicacies, as ham, brawn, pork, bacon, sausages, &c. Asittakes salt much better, and is capable of being preserved longer, than any other animal substance, it is an article of the highest importance to a commercial country, THE SHEEP. THE ram is the male of that well-known and useful animal, the sheep, of which the female is called the ewe; the young one, whether male or female, lamb: and the male when intended only for the table, and treated accordingly, wether: the ram is also called tup, in some parts of England. This animal is so well known, that a particular description of its figure seems unnecessary: it is, however, subject to numberless varieties, arising from cross. breeding, food, and climate, the effect of which, is more remarkable in this, than in any other animal. The sheep is certainly the most useful of the smaller quadrupeds; and the bounty of the Creator has so tempered its constitution, as to enable it to exist, and even thrive, in almost every variety of climate, rendering most essen. tial services to mankind wherever it goes. Mild, innocent, and gentle in its nature, even to a proverb; it seems conscious of its defenceless state, and looks to man for that protec. tion which it seeks in vain from its own species; yet, however, timidit may be, the female follows the impulse of nature, so evident in all its sex, in E2 the care and protection of its young, which it attempts to defend in time of danger, by stamping with its feet in a menacing manner, and pushing with its head. It must, however, be allow. ed, that, notwithstanding the apparent timidity of this animal, when under the immediate protection of man, it assumes a very different conduct on the extensive wild mountains, where numerous flocks range uncontrouled and unprotected by the shepherd, except at morning and even. ing. In such situations, a tam will boldly attack a single dog, and frequently proves victorious. But when the attack is more formidable, they unite in the common cause, and draw themselves up in a body, the females and young, as being perfectly defenceless, occupying the cen. ter, while the rams, placing themselves close to each other, form a circle round them, and present a formidable battery of horns on all parts, which cannot be attacked! without imminent danger to the assailant. Thus they wait with firmness the approach of the enemy, on whom the rams dart with such impetuosity and force, as to lay them dead at their feet, unless he has the address to save himself by flight. A ram will sometimes engage a bull, and from the superior hardness of his scull, often comes off conqueror. The sheep delights in the society of its own species, and seems fond of a tinkling noise, which induces the shepherds to hang a bell round the neck of the leader of the flock, |