1028 



PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part III. 



great violence the object of its displeasure. The nilgau is said to go with young 

 about nine months, and to produce sometimes two at a birth : the young is of the color 

 of a fawn. 



6629. The above and various other species of antelopes might probably be acclimated 

 and introduced in parks as objects of luxury. The cultivator who first succeeded in 

 breeding them would find an ample demand at his own price if they happened to come 

 in vogue. 



6630. The caniel (Camelus, L.), is a genus of which there are several species, three of 

 which, the dromedary, or Arabian camel [jig.lOl.), the Bachian, and the lama or Peru- 

 vian sheep, might certainly be partially accli- 

 mated in England, as the first is completely so 

 in Italy. (297.) They live upon a very little 

 of the coarsest herbage ; might have a warm 



^house well littered to retire to in winter, or 

 in cold nights, and would form a singular 

 ornament to park scenery. Besides their hair 

 and skin are valuable, and they might be sold 

 perhaps to romantic travellers, or cavalier 

 quacks. 



6631. The lama (Camelus glama, 'L.yjig. 

 702. ) is the camel of South America ; and 

 appears to hold a middle place between the 

 -"^ sheep, deer, and camel. Before the en- 

 trance of the Spaniards, lamas were the only l)easts of burden known to the South 

 Americans. Like camels, they travel 

 slowly, but are persevering, tractable, 

 and very sure-footed. Since the intro- 

 duction of mules, they are much less cul- 

 tivated ; but before they were depended 

 on to carry the ores dug out of the rich 

 mines of Potosi. The lama is furnished 

 as the camel with ability to abstain from 

 water, by keeping a quantity in its second 

 stomach. Like the camel, its feet also 

 divide, and spread ; but by no means 

 equal to those of the camel. It is also 

 furnished with a singular protuberance or '~ 

 spur behind, which enables it the better 



to lay hold on the ground. The tame 



are of various colors, and some of them are smooth and others rough. The height of 

 the lama is about four feet, and its length from the neck to the tail about six feet. It 

 has a capacity of throwing out the saliva to a considerable distance, but which is not 

 possessed of any acrid quality. 



6632. The camelopard (Camelopardalis giraffh, L.), a most singular and noble animal, 

 seventeen feet high, and as tame and gentle as the camel, might also be naturalized. It 

 lives on the green spray of trees, and grass, and frequents forests. 



6633. The elephant, rhinoceros, musk ox, and a variety of other exotic domestics, 

 might be so far acclimated as to live in Britain as they do in the Jardin des plantes at 

 Paris, viz., with an enclosure for each sort, and a lodge or house for protection in winter 

 or during inclement weather. Were as much attention paid to introducing alive, and 

 acclimating foreign animals, as there is directed to the same branch of culture in plants, 

 we should soon possess a rich Fauna, and the public taste may in time take this di- 

 rection. 



6634. In acclimating the more tender animals, it might be desirable to rear a few ge- 

 nerations, first in the south of Italy or in Spain, next in France and afterwards in the south 

 of England. But the camel, musk ox, zebra, quagga, and antelope might be had 

 at once from the acclimated stock in Italy. 



6635. The dog {Canisfamiliaris), is an animal of universal utility and interest. From 

 the earliest ages he has been the companion and assistant of the herdsman ; and without 

 his aid the flocks must have been confined to narrow limits, and consequently their 

 propagation would have been greatly lessened. But hardy and bold, he watched by 

 night, and toiled by day ; securing his charge from the human thief, or the ravenous 

 predatory beasts in the one, and collecting and organising their march during the other. 

 Without the dog, sheep-farmers of the present day would be often at a loss to restrain the 

 wanderings of their flocks ; nor is he less useful in guarding the yard by nightly 

 watchings. 



