Page images
PDF
EPUB

satisfied with grass and other vegetables, it wants neither corn nor hay; and of all creatures it seems to require water least; being supplied by Nature with such quantities of saliva, that it spits it out on every occasion. This indeed, seems to be the only offensive weapon that the lama has to testify its resentment. When overloaded, or exhausted by fatigue, and driven on by the inhumanity of its keeper, it falls on its belly, and emits against him a quantity of this fluid, which the Indians assert will either burn the skin, or cause very dangerous eruptions.

The variety of the lama called Paco, is smaller and weaker, but endued with the same nature. Its wool is very valuable, and is formed into quilts, carpets, &c. which exceed those from the Levant.

[merged small][graphic]

THE appellations dromedary and camel have subsisted time immemorial; they do not, however, make two distinct kinds, but are only given to a variety of the same animal. The principal differences are, that the dromedary has but one hump upon the back, whereas the camel has two, and the former quadruped is inferior in size and strength to the latter; seldom carrying more than six or seven hundred weight, while on the other hand, this can carry a thousand. Of the two varieties, the dromedary is the most numerous: its manners, dispositions, and habits, have been already described in the history of the camel.

[merged small][graphic]

IT is no easy matter to form an adequate idea of this quadruped's size, and the singularity of its formation. It exhibits in some measure the slender shape of the deer, or the camel, but is destitute of their symmetry, or their easy power of motion. The head resembles that of the deer, armed with two round horns; its neck is like that of a camel; and its legs and feet resemble those of the deer, but with this remarkable difference, that the fore legs appear to be nearly twice as long as the hinder; this however, is merely occasioned by the extraordinary height of the shoulders, compared with the thighs. The tail is round, and tapering towards the end, where it terminates in a tuft of long hair. Its height, when full grown, from the fore feet to the top of the head, is about seventeen feet; the skin is beautifully spotted with brown upon a whitish ground; and when the animal is standing still and viewed by a spectator in front, it resembles the trunk of a withered tree; the hinder parts being entirely concealed. Its gait in walking is neither awkward nor unpleasing, but it has a ridiculous kind of trot. Its defence is in its heels, and its kicks are so extremely rapid, that they are sufficient to defend it against the lion, though not to repel the impetuous attack of the leopard, or the tiger. Like all other horned and cloven-footed quadrupeds, it ruminates and feeds entirely upon vegetables; but its favourite food is the leaf of a tall kind of sensitive plant, peculiar

to the interior of Africa.

[merged small][graphic]

Of all carnivorous quadrupeds, the dog kind must indisputably claim the preference; being the most intelligent, courageous, and domestic attendant on man. They are principally distinguished by their claws, which have no sheath like those of the cat kind, but continue at the point of each toe, without a capability of being stretched forward, or drawn back. The nose also is longer than in the cat kind; and the body is in proportion more strongly made, and covered with hair instead of fur. The variety of these animals, through mixed breeds, is great.

More docile and obedient than any other animal, the dog is not only easily instructed, but also conforms to the dispositions and manners of those who command him. Always assiduous in serving his master, and only a friend to his friends, he is indifferent to the rest. Constant in his affections, friendly without interest, and much more mindful of benefits than injuries offered, he is not driven off by unkindness, but even licks the hand that has been just lifted to strike him, and eventually disarms resentment by submissive perseverance.

The foremost of this tribe is the blood-hound, a dog of great utility, and in high esteem among our ancestors. Its employ was to recover any game that had escaped wounded from the hunter, or had been stolen out of the forest; but it was still more serviceable in hunting thieves and robbers by their foot-steps: but being of a ferocious and blood-thirsty disposition, they are prohibited.

[merged small][graphic]

THE mastiff is nearly the size of a Newfoundland dog; remarkable for its strength and fierceness. It is chiefly used for guarding houses, especially in country places, against thieves and robbers; and sometimes by drovers, and often for baiting of beasts.

[merged small][graphic]

THE bull-dog is much less than the mastiff, but not inferior in fierceness. It has a pretty large head, neck, and breast. Those of a brindled colour are accounted the best of the kind. This creature will naturally run at, and seize the fiercest bull, without barking; running directly at his head, and sometimes catching hold of his nose, pin the bull to the ground; nor can he, without great difficulty, be made to quit his hold. Two of these dogs, let loose at once, are a match for a bull, three for a bear, and four for a lion.

[merged small][graphic]

THE terrier is a small kind of hound, with rough hair; it has a most acute smell, and is generally an attendant on every pack of hounds. It is a most determined enemy of all the vermin kind; such as weasels, polecats, badgers, rats, mice, &c. It is fierce, keen, and hardy; and in its encounters with the badger, while forcing it from its holes, sometimes meets with very severe treatment, which it however bears with great courage and fortitude.

[merged small][graphic]

THE harrier, as well as the beagle and the fox-hound, are used for hunting; as they have, of all other animals, the quickest and most distinguishing sense of smelling. A mixed breed, between this and the large terrier, forms a strong, active, and hardy hound, used in hunting the otter. It is rough, wire-haired, thick-quartered, longeared, and thin-shouldered. The properly breeding, matching, and training these dogs, make up the business of many men's lives.

« PreviousContinue »