Crossword 444

ACROSS

1. Wild porcine animals of Madagascar

and South Africa (4,4) 5. Red-and-yellow plum named after

a British monarch (8)

9. Taxonomic group next above family (5) 10. Surfeit or oversupply (4)

11. Temporary cessation of business (6) 12. Thick juice obtained from sugar during refining (8)

14. Male keeper of a company

of animals (8)

17. Strong cloth waterproofed,

especially with tar (9)

19. Deep, narrow valley (5)

21. Small, open area in woods

or a forest (5)

22. The northern _______ is a food fish distributed from South Africa to Indonesia (7)

23. Soundness of judgement (5)

25. Necessary to life (5)

27. Thin ceramic or stone slab

laid in a house (5,4)

29. Front leg (8)

32. One who lies under oath (8)

33. Bird of prey ( Pandion haliaetus)

that feeds on fish (6)

34. Collective term for seeds

of cereal plants (4)

35. Of a vehicle engine, ran in neutral (5) 36. Act of making a liquid weaker

or more watery (8)

37. Tax estimator (8)

Down

1. Flowering (8)

2. Horse rider’s seat (6)

3. Organism living on another

at the host’s expense (8)

4. Large chambers for storing grain (5) 5. Any of various pea family plants, usually with blue or purple flowers, often used as fodder (5)

6. Currently popular on social media (8) 7. The rhubarb genus (5)

8. Wormwood or a liqueur originally

flavoured with its extract (8)

13. Common annelid burrowing creature

that aerates soil (9)

15. Sweet briar, a fragrant wild rose (9) 16. Sauce or dressing of mayonnaise with

chopped pickles, capers and olives (7) 18. Barley soaked, sprouted and dried

for use in brewing beer (4) 20. Periodical payment for

hiring property (4)

23. The ________shire bull terrier is a breed originating in the English Midlands (8)

24. Liquid industrial waste (8)

25. Sour liquid from unripe fruit (8) 26. Large dog bred as a retriever (8) 28. Cooks by radiant heat (6)

30. Fend off (5)

31. Pig’s flesh salted and dried (5) 32. North Italian town famous for

finely cured uncooked ham (5)