(a NOTES TAKEN. 
. These mares were taken wild on the plains, and were 
intended for the breeding of mules in Missouri, 
' Having read many descriptions, and seen drawings of the 
noble horse in his native wilds, what was my surprise to find 
a poor, miserable, spindle-shanked, puny stock, not one of 
which I would accept as a gift (particularly if good points 
were the object), and at the same time to be igid that they 
were very excellent specimens of the breed. 
I account for their degeneracy, from the unavoidable breed- 
ing in and in, which is inevitable in a wild state, and to which 
may be attributed the ill shape and small size wf so many 
domesticated Indian ponies. 
The mustangs have proved entirely worthless for all ser- 
vice, wherever the experiment has been tried, very vicious, 
and of no powers of endurance on the road, 
This experiment of mule raising, may be successful, but I 
should doubt it very much; the stubbornness of the ass, and 
the viciousness of the mustang, not being the eri ingredi- 
ents for serviceable domestic stock. 
July 2d.—Hospital duties, and the necossity of providing 
some means of transportation for the wounded of yesterday, 
(our ambulance having gone on with the Captain), detained 
us until a late hour this morning. 
The non-commissioned officer, either fun real oes or 
shame that he had set so bad an example, was in an appa- 
rently very distressed state, but after a time, a reclining place 
was found for him in one of the wagons. The rest marched 
= 
