ANIMALS. 303 



under the line ; on the contrary, that pork, which is with us so 

 unpalatable in summer, in the warmer latitudes, where it is al- 

 ways hotter than here, is the finest eating they have, and much 

 preferable to any hog's flesh in Europe. 



The ass, like the horse, was originally imported into America 

 by the Spaniards, and afterwards by other nations. That coun- 

 try seems to have been peculiarly favourable to this race of ani. 

 mals ; and where they have run wild, they have multiplied in 

 Buch numbers, that in some places they are become a uuisance. 

 In the kingdom of Quito, the owTiers of the grounds where 

 they are bred, suffer all persons to take away as many as they 

 can, on paying a small acknowledgment, in proportion to the 

 number of days their sport lasts. They catch them in the fol- 

 lowing manner. A number of persons go on horseback, and 

 are attended by Indians on foot : when arrived at the proper 

 places, they form a circle, in order to drive them into some val- 

 ley ; where, at full speed, they throw the noose, and endeavour 

 to halter them. Those creatures, finding themselves enclosed, 

 make very furious efforts to escape ; and, if only one forces his 

 way through, they all follow with an irresistible impetuosity. 

 However, when noosed, the hunters throw them down, and secure 

 them with fetters, and thus leave them till the chase is over. 

 Then, in order to bring them away with greater facility, they 

 pair them with tame beasts of the same kind ; but this is not 

 easily performed, for they are so remarkably fierce that they often 

 hurt the persons who undertake to manage them. They have 

 all the swiftness of horses, and neither declivities nor precipices 

 can retard their career. When attacked, they defend themselves 

 with their heels and mouth with such activity, that without 

 slackening their pace, they often n.-aim their pursuers. But 

 the most remarkable property in these creatures is, that, after 

 carrying their first load, their celerity leaves them, their dange- 

 rous ferocity is lost, and they soon contract the stupid look 

 and dulness peculiar to the assinine species. It is also observa- 

 ble, that these creatures will not permit a horse to live among 

 them. They always feed together ; and if a horse happens to 

 stray into the jdace where they graze, they all full upon him ; 

 and, without giving him the liberty of flying, they bite and kick 

 iiini till they leave him for dead upon the spot.' 



1 Ulloa, vol. i. p. 310. 



