of a Zoological Collection wade in Sumatra. 1(u 



BOS. 



There is a very fine breed of cattle peculiar to Sumatra, of which 

 I saw abundance in Menangkabu when I visited the capital of (hat 

 country in 1818. They are short, compact, well made animals, 

 without a hump, and almost without exception ol* a light fawn- 

 colour relieved with white. The eyes are large and fringed with 

 long black eye-lashes. The legs are delicate and well shaped. 

 Among all that 1 saw I did not observe any that were not in ex- 

 cellent condition ; in which respect they formed a striking con- 

 trast to the cattle generally met with in India. They are univer- 

 sally used in agriculture, and are perfectly domesticated. This 

 breed appears to be quite distinct from the Banting of Java and 

 the more eastern islands. 



Of the Buffalo, the white variety is the most frequent at Ben- 

 coolen. It does not appear to differ from the black in any thing 

 but the colour, which is a reddish white. 



EQUUS. 



The Sumatran horses are small, strong and hardy. Those of 

 the northern parts of the island, particularly Acheen, are the 

 most prized. The Batta horses are rather larger, very strong, 

 but not handsome. They are distinct breeds from the horses of 

 Java and Bima, which are nearly of the same size, about twelve 

 hands. 



ELEPHAS. 



Wild Elephants are extremely numerous in the forests of Su- 

 matra; but few attempts have been made to catch and domesti- 

 cate them. At Acheen alone have they been trained to the ser- 

 vice of man ; and I have now in my possession a young one pre- 

 sented to me by the King of that country. 



2 m 2 RHINO- 



