1S39.] DOMESTIC QUADRUPEDS. 153 



Fine cloth and hats are made of the wool, which is soft, deli- 

 cate, and curly. The vicunas can be tamed when young ; 

 but when old they are intractable and malicious. 



Most of the domestic quadrupeds now used by the Peru- 

 vians are descended from foreign stock. This is the case 

 with the horse, the mule, the famous black cattle of the 

 Sierra, the sheep and goats. The sheep were the easiest 

 acclimated, and have succeeded the best. On the great com- 

 mons or pastures of the Puna, flocks may be seen containing 

 many thousands, which are mostly coarse wooled. Few 

 sheep are raised on the coast, and the markets of Lima and 

 the seaport towns are mainly supplied with mutton from the 

 interior. The fecundity of the sheep in Peru is remarkable. 

 The farmer usually calculates on obtaining one hundred and 

 fifty lambs from one hundred ewes, at a single yeaning. The 

 ewes bear twice a year, also, generally in June and De- 

 cember. 



Goats are common in Peru, and the province of Piura is 

 especially famous for them. Great numbers of pigs are like- 

 wise fattened for the markets ; when from ten to sixteen 

 months old, they sell readily at from six to nine dollars per 

 head, if of a good breed. 



The cattle of Peru are, upon an average, as large as the 

 generality of English, American, or Spanish breeds. The 

 horses and mules are particularly fine. The former far ex- 

 cel their Andalusian progenitors in grace and elegance of 

 form, and in the rapidity and precision of their movements. 

 The saddle horses trained for the Lima market are practiced 

 in every art of the manege, and are highly esteemed by all 

 competent judges. Ordinary horses and mules bring from 

 forty to fifty dollars ; but the best mules raised in Piura, 

 which is noted for its excellent breed, will often command 

 two hundred and fifty dollars each. 



(10.) After spending about a month in making the neces- 

 sary repairs, furnishing their outfits, and taking in stores, the 

 Exploring Squadron completed its preparations for the pro- 

 jected western cruise, on the 13th of July. At five o'clock 



