108 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



" expensive as the Dutch breed, and are easily obtained, (from New-England ?) Curaso or 

 " Arabian horses are likewise imported into the country, but are not very acceptable, as they 

 " can scarcely endure the climate, and often die in winter. Fine large horses are bred in the 

 " country, which live long, and are seldom diseased." The Curaso horses, mentioned above, 

 according to the Albany Dutch Records, were imported from the Island of Curacoa, between 

 which place and New- Amsterdam there was a brisk traffic carried on as early as 1637. 



It appears from the statement given above, that the horses of this State were originally of 

 the Dutch race, subsequently of the English stock, and were at that early period with an admix- 

 ture of Arabian blood. Much attention has since been paid to the improvement of the breed, 

 by the importation of the best Arabian horses ; and we believe it is now generally conceded, 

 that in the combined qualities of speed and endurance, the horses of this State are excelled 

 by none in the world. 



THE ASS.— (Introduced.) 



Eauus ASINUS. 



This useful animal is a native of the East ; it is considered to be generically different from 

 the Horse by some writers, on account of its long ears, tufted tail, and the absence of callo- 

 sities on its hind legs. It breeds occasionally with the horse, and the product is called a mule 

 or hinny, according as the ass is the male or female parent. It is a hardy animal, requiring 

 little care, but has not been much attended to in this State. In Kentucky, and some others 

 of the western States, much attention has been paid to the ass, and its cross with the horse ; 

 and a fine breed has been raised, which readily commands high prices. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL .) 



THE FOSSIL HORSE. 



Eoxus major. 



Teeth and bones of the Horse have been found in various parts of the Union, but I am unacquainted 

 with any locality in this State. The nearest approach to it are the teeth and vertebrae found near the 

 Navesink hills in New-Jersey, described by Mitchill in the Appendix to the New- York edition of 

 Cuviers Theory of the Earth, and also noted at pages 7 and 8 of his Catalogue of Organic Remains. 

 They have also been found on the north branch of the Susquehannah ; in digging the Chesapeake canal, 

 near Georgetown, D. C. ; and in North Carolina, sixteen miles below Newbern. They resemble those 

 of the common domestic horse ; but from their size, apparently belonged to a larger animal. 



