of a projection of the frontals on either side; the suture between them and the superior maxillary is mortised; the anterior maxillary sends up a broad deep process more than half the length of the nasal bones, and the suture here is exceedingly strong. The bony nasal opening is but small, not one-sixth of the size of that of the sheep, and the apices of the bone form one sharp but rapidly widening point, which is carried forward to the anterior extremity of the maxillary. The suture between the nasals themselves is often so intricate, that before the animal is two years old, the upper part of it is perfectly obliterated, and the nasal cavity appears as if only covered by one bone. A very slight comparison of the face of this animal with that of any other will prove that strength is the object here in view; strength towards the inferior part of the bone. In point of fact the snout of the hog is his spade, with which, in his natural state, he digs and grubs in the ground for roots, earth-nuts, worms, &c. And to render his implement more perfect, an extra bone is added to the nasal bone. This one is short and trificial and placed directly before the nasal bones, with which, and with the edges of the anterior maxillary, it is connected by strong ligaments, cartilages, and muscles. This bone has been termed the spade-bone, snout-bone, and by some writers, the vomer, from Its supposed resemblance to a ploughshare. By it and its cartilaginous attachment is the snout rendered strong as well as flexible, and far more efficient than it could otherwise be; and the hog often contrives to give both farmers and gardeners very unpleasant proofs of its efficiency, by ploughing up deep furrows in newly-sown fields, and grubbing up the soil in all directions in search of his living and dead food.
The palatine bones constitute the crescentic and posterior border of the palate and nasal cavity; they do not advance further than just before the last molar tooth, instead of occupying a considerable portion of the palate. The palatine processes consist merely of bony laminæ.
As roots and fruits buried in the earth form the natural food of the hog, his face terminates in a strong muscular snout, insensible at the extremity, and perfectly adapted for turning up the soil. There is a large plexus of nerves proceeding down each side of the nose, and ramifying over the nostril, and in these doubtless reside that peculiar power which enables the hog to detect his food though buried some inches below the surface of the ground. The olfactory nerve, too, is large, and occupies a middle rank between that of the herbivorous and carnivorous animals; it is comparatively larger than that of the ox: indeed few animals, with the exception of the dog, are gifted with a more acute sense of smell than the hog. We have already spoken of the sow which was taught to hunt partridges, and proved as sure a finder and as stanch a backer as any pointer
