Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Natural History, Zoology, Government, Pollution, Public Health

    Description of the characteristics of the 'City Pig', which is a thinly-veiled portrait of metropolitan aldermen. Draws attention to its 'excessive voracity' and 'love of dirt', its indiscriminate eating habits and affinity for 'the foulest mud', 'cess-pools and sewers'. Adds that the animal fiercely resists any attempt to move it from the 'slush of its choice' and notes the thickness of its skin and density of its skull. Calls on the government to either remove the pigs or clean them up.