NATURAL HISTORY 



[Quadrupeds. 



mentioned by Buchanan, and described by Sir Robert Sib- 

 bald* as no larger than asses, and said to be common both 

 to Orkney and Zetland, are at present confined to the latter, 

 where they still preserve their character of excellent work* 

 beasts : they bring a very few of them to Orkney, but more 

 are sent to other parts of the kingdom, being purchased as 

 curiosities, and to teach children to ride, though their strength 

 is such, that they can carry a man with ease for a long while 

 together. The price of Orkney horses is high, considering 

 the country ; indeed, I am often surprised how a farmer here 

 can afford 5, 6, 8, or L.I Sterling for a horse, and purchase 

 the number many of them keep, especially when I reflect 

 on the little profit many of them make of their farms, which, 

 though greater in some parts of the country than others, is by 

 far less than might be, had they proper markets to bring the 

 produce of them to. Asses are scarce ever seen in the Ork- 

 neys, and mules, I dare say, never -f. 



* Equulei, quoque Orcadenses et Schetlandici, asino baud majores, laboris patien- 

 tissime sunt. 



f- In addition to the history of the horse, I shall insert what the writer of the 

 Husbandrie used by the Orchadiaus says of these in Orkney : " Their horses lieves 

 " on beare calfe, and grows exceeding fat on the same ; they be very little, but 

 " quck and fierie.'' To which Mr M'Kaile adds, with truth, " The horses are 

 " little, and go all barefoot, unless the gentlemen put shoes upon the horses upon 

 " which they ride themselves." P. 



