332 M. Roulln 07i Domestic Animals. 



of observing it, appears to have undergone scarcely any altera- 

 tion in its form or habits. It is common at Bogota, where it is 

 employed for transporting building materials. It is ill cared 

 for, being left exposed to the inclemency of the weather, with- 

 out sufficient nourishment being given it. It is on this account 

 of small size, and is covered with a very long and ill combed 

 pile. Deformities are frequent, not only in the adults, which 

 are too soon put to labour, but even in the young at the mo- 

 ment of birth. Perhaps this circumstance depends upon the 

 bad treatment which the mothers receive during gestation. 



In the low and warm parts, where jackasses are required for 

 obtaining mules, this animal is less neglected. In these places, 

 at least, it has a sufficiency of food, and it is accordingly larger 

 and stronger, and its hair becomes shorter and smoother. 



When a jackass and stallion happen to be among mares in a 

 pasture of limited extent, there is a perpetual war between them. 

 Notwithstanding his inferiority in strength, it is the ass that 

 oftenest comes to the charge. He does not at all seek to de- 

 fend himself against the bites of the horse, otherwise than by 

 withdrawing the head and neck, on which the latter commonly 

 makes his attack ; he does not reply to his kicks by other kicks ; 

 he has but one object, which is to seize his antagonist by the 

 organs of generation, and not unfrequently, after persevering 

 for several days, he succeeds in taking him by surprize, and 

 castrates him by a single bite. 



In none of the provinces which I have visited, had the ass 

 returned to the wild state. 



The case is different with the horse. There are wild horses 

 in several parts of Columbia, and I have seen small birds in the 

 plains of San Martin, between the sources of the Meta, the 

 Rio Negro, and the Umadea. Their number being inconsider- 

 able, and the space in which they are confined much smaller, 

 and more frequented by men than the plains of Paraguay, they 

 have not assumed all the habits which have been so well de- 

 scribed by M. d'Azara ; nor have I seen them in great herds 

 formed of small families. I have seen these families consisting 

 of an old stallion, five or six mares, and some Alleys, com- 

 pletely isolated from all the others. So far from approaching 

 caiavans to entice the domestic horses, tliey take to flight the 



