BOOK Iir. CHAP. VIII. -897 



diftempers tUnn the imported horfes, and their hoofs are naturally fo 

 tough and compaft, that flioes are feldom found ncceflary for them, 

 even in rocky roads. 



The wild breed, defcended from the Spnnifh gennets, obferved here 

 in D'oyley's time, and very numerous in the woody parts of the low- 

 lands, are diminutive and worthlefs. The wild cattle, on the contrary, 

 arc remarkably large and beautiful ; a difference not eafy to be ac- 

 counted for, as the latter feem to require a richer pafturage for en- 

 larging their bulk, than what they are able to meet with in thofe 

 places where they are mofl abundant ; perhaps it may be owing to 

 the vicious propenfity of the ftallions, who begin to cover when they 

 are not more than half- grown ; and, by thus early confuming their 

 vigour, become incapable of begetting any other than a puny off- 

 spring. 



The general flandard of the Creole horfes is from thirteen and an 

 half to fourteen hands. In order to mend the breed, fome perfons have 

 thought, that a very high tax fhould be impofed, by aft of alTembly, 

 upon all Itone-horfes, three years old, under fourteen hands.. Perhaps 

 a tax of 10 or 15/. per head per annum, and a penalty of the like 

 amount, payable by the owner, befides forfeiture of the horfe, upon 

 conviftion of any fuch, omitted to be regularly given in at the veftries, 

 might anfwer the purpofe fo well as to put a flop, in a few years, to 

 this diminutive breed ; encouragement being given, at the fame time, 

 to import large ftallions and mares from Europe and North America. 

 By an aft paffed in 1759, all ilone-horfes, under fourteen hands, 

 three years old, and running on the commons, are ordered to be caf- 

 trated ; but this aft extends not to horfes breaking out of any flable or 

 inclofed pafture. A premium of 10/. is granted upon every ftone- 

 horfe, or mare, fifteen hands high, and not exceeding five years old, 

 imported from England. Horfes imported from Ireland, or North- 

 America, are not included. This aft, with fome amendments, could 

 not fail of producing a very good effeft. 



346. Ass, 



The fineft afles for breeding mules are brought hither from Spain 



and Portugal. They degenerate in the low lands; but the native breed. 



Vol. III. 5 Y if 



