MOLUAViAX C.VTTI.K.1 CATTLE, AND TIIElll VAPvTETIES. [swiss cattle. 



rain, or suow mako the miittor worse, so that 

 a jwasago can only bo achieved by preafc 

 patience, labour, and resolution. A bullock- 

 caravan of Moldavia, wending its weary way 

 over tlio vast pliiins of tliat province, while 

 lighter vehicles, drawn by awift horsca, aro Boea 

 in the distance, i'urnishesan interesting picture 

 for tho artist of rural life. It ia by these 

 caravans that the trade and commcrco of Mol- 

 davia aro carried on, and tho town supplied 

 with <?i";iin- 



day, on the sides of the road. The herds are 

 attended by one or two men, who convey their 

 cooking utensils, baggage, etc., in a waggon 

 drawn by two oxen ; and while their numerous 

 herds re[)O80 undisturbed under tho shade of 

 the delicate birch, they stretch themselves on 

 the ground, and pass their time in a true 

 Scythian state. Hero aro also seen a few 

 sheep, but of an inferior breed, covered with 

 hair somewhat like that of a goat. This 

 country is not favourable for the pasture of 

 sb-jep, owing to tho coarseness of tho grass, 

 and the abundance of wood. Littlo or no 

 attention seems to be paid to tho rearing of 

 any other animal besides tho horse. To him 

 alone the lluss devotes his whole attention, 

 and from him he derives his livelihood." 



CATTLE OF :\IOLDAYIA AND WALLACHIA. 

 In Moldavia and Wallachia cattle are abun- 

 dant ; in the former district, indeed, the people 

 continue, in a great measure, their ancient 

 nomadic habits, making use of the services of 

 the ox as a beast of draught or burden. United 

 in immense caravans, they roam over a vast 

 extent of territory, transporting, in tall vehi- 

 cles of singular construction, various articles 

 of produce, provisions, and other things, to the 

 towns scattered at long distances about the 

 wide plains of Moldavia. Day by day they 

 move cheerfully on, to the slow and measured 

 sound of the footsteps of their oxen, and are 

 often an entire month without seeing a single 

 human habitation. At the approach of even- 

 ing the caravan halts : the numerous waggons 

 are disposed in the form of a square, and the 

 oxen are turned out to graze at large, under 

 the watchful care of intrepid dogs which ac- 

 company the caravan. In the middle of the 

 square a fire is now lighted, at which the con- 

 ductor prepares his simple repast, and after- 

 wards disposes himself to sleep, sheltered by a 

 warm and heavy coverlid, which completely en- 

 wraps him. These indefatigable walkers are 

 no less excellent riders. They possess a fine 

 race of horses, which are employed for drawing 

 lighter vehicles ; while the heavier waggons are 

 drawn by the slow oxen. There are no high 

 roads in Moldavia ; the plain is open, and each 

 traveller chooses his own track ; and it is often 

 mth difficulty that the oxen can drag their 

 way through heavy ground. Storms of wind. 



CATTLE OF SWITZERLAND. 

 In Switzerland there is an exeelleut breed 

 of cattle ; and in no country arc those animals 

 more carefully attended to, or held in greater 

 esteem for their utility, as far as the dairy is 

 concerned. Travellers have frequently noticed 

 their docility and intelligence, which they 

 have, at the same time, not a little exaggerated. 

 It is customary to hang bells round tho necks 

 of the cattle, sheep, and goats, in order that, 

 if they stray among the hills and mountains, 

 the herdsmen may be directed by the sound in 

 his pursuit of them, the slightest tinkle being 

 heard at a great distance in those lofty and 

 quiet regions. The cows selected to bear tho 

 bell become accustomed to it from habit, and 

 often, we doubt not, betray signs of uneasiness 

 when deprived of it ; but the account given by 

 some writers, respecting their feelings, borders 

 on the ludicrous. " The cow, whose superior 

 beauty, sagacity, or good conduct seems to 

 entitle her to be the leader of the herd, is 

 always, on gala days, distinguished by the 

 largest and finest-toned bell, and the bravest 

 ornamental collar, and so down through all 

 the gradations of good, to the small appendage 

 that marks the indifferently good or clever 

 animal, and the total absence of ornament and 

 distinction which points out the self-willed or 

 vicious. If any cow has been guilty of stray- 

 in", of unseemly behaviour, breach of dis- 

 cipline, or any vicious trick, the displeasure of 

 the Vacher is not testified by blows, but by 

 the temporary deprivation of her bell ; and this 

 seldom fails to reduce her to order, and pre- 

 vent a repetition of the ofience. It is only 

 necessary to see the cow on a gala day, with 

 her badge of distinction strapped round her 

 neck, and then to see her deprived of it for 

 some reason or other, to be convinced that 



