size of their pigs, and at the same time give to the breeds all the value arising from early maturity, a kindly disposition, and productiveness. M. Magne says, "Our breeds of pigs are in general very defective; they are long-limbed, thin-necked, narrow-chested, and have high curved backs; they are hardy, but far from precocious, fatten with difficulty, and consume an immense quantity of food compared with the flesh they yield."
We are partly indebted to Mr. Wilson's valuable "Essay on Domestic Animals" for the following account of the present chief breeds of swine in France. The most distinguishable of the present races of France are the following:—
"1. The race of the Pays d'Auge, (by some authors called the Normandy breed,) which has the head small and sharp-pointed; the ears narrow and pointed; the body lengthened; the legs broad and strong; the hair coarse, spare, and of a white color; and the bones small. It attains to the weight of 600 lbs." M. Bella considers that this breed are great eaters, but do not fatten kindly.
2. The race of Poitu, of which the head is long and thick, the point projecting; the ears large and pendulous; the body lengthened; the bristles white and coarse; the feet broad and strong; and the bones large. Its weight does not exceed 500 lbs.
3. The race of Périgord, of which the neck is thick and short, the oody broad and compact, and the hair black, short, and rough. This race, when crossed with the Poitou pigs, produces very good animals; and it is probable that the pied swine, so common in the south of France, are descended from this cross.
4. The race of Boulogne. Of considerable dimensions, and well inclined to fatten quickly; ears very broad; general color white. This breed has sprung from a cross between the large English breed and one of the common races of France.
Of other continental races we shall mention the Jutland swine. Of these the ears are large and pendent, the body elongated, the back somewhat curved, the legs long. The size of this breed is considerable, as from 200 Ibs. to 300 lbs. (French livres) of lard are got from them in their second year. They form an important branch of commerce.
The race known abroad under the name of Cochon de Siam is the representative of our Chinese breed. Its ears are short, straight, and flexible; its body is covered with soft and somewhat silky hair, which is stiff and thick on the head and back of the neck, and frizzly on the cheeks and under jaw; on the other parts it is thin, and for the most part hard and black. The skin is also black, except on the belly; the eyes are surrounded by a slight tinge of flame-color; their tails measure nine inches in length; their bodies three feet three inches; their height at the shoulder is one foot eight inches (French.) This
