267 



guisbed from the ass by a handsomer head^ and 

 a more elegant appearance ; the neck and bnt- 

 tocks are also better formed. A ^reat difference 

 likewise prevails in its internal conformation, and 

 its voice is more like the neighing- of a horse, 

 tJian (he brajing of an ass. This animal is more 

 unruly than the vicugna, and far exceeds it in 

 swiftness ; it inhabits the most inaccessible parts 

 of tlie Andes, which is the reason of its being 

 so dilncult to be taken. It is the same animal 

 which Captain Wallis found at the Straits of 

 Magellan, and, in my opinion, forms the link be- 

 tween the ruminating and single-hoofed animals. 



Horses, asses, cattle, sheep, goats, many kinds 

 of dogs, cats, and even mice, have been brought 

 hither by the Spaniards. All these animals have 

 multiplied exceedingly, and have increased in 

 size, as might be expected from so favourable a 

 climate. The horses of Chili possess all the good 

 qualities of their species: they have spirit, 

 vigour, and swiftness. Those which are bred in 

 the plains resemble the Arabian horses; they are 

 of a middle size, but remarkably active. The 

 mountain horses are stronger and closer set, and 

 are very good for the harness ; they have, in ge- 

 neral, an elegant appearance, a small and hand- 

 some head, the tail well furnished with hair, and 

 a little raised, the chest broad, and well turned, 

 the thighs round and plump, the legs slender and 

 nervous, and the hoof so hard as not to require 



