ZOOLOGY. 21 



The native cattle consists chiefly of cows and heifers, 

 many of which, from a curious formation of the horns, ap- 

 pear to be descended from some foreign breed. They are 

 of small size, and manage to subsist where a larger and 

 heavier animal would starve. Fresh butter, of excellent 

 quality,, is made from these animals, but not in any quan- 

 tity. A few draught oxen, imported from the United 

 States, are also to be met with, ia ploughs and bullock 

 carts. Bullocks, for the supply of the Military, Naval, and 

 Convict Establishments, are also imported from the United 

 States, as well as from the British North American Colo- 

 nies, at the rate of about one hundred head per month. 

 These are stall-fed by the contractor tiU slaughtered, their 

 food being imported hay, and Indian corn meaL 



The local goverimient has, of late, endeavoured to im- 

 prove the breed of cattle, and has gone to considerable ex- 

 pense in procuring bulls and cows from Alderney ; but we 

 have yet to learn whether they thrive sufficiently well to 

 make amends for the outlay. 



Horses are obtained chiefly from the United States, and 

 make very useful hacks ; and, although it caimot be said 

 that they are remarkable for sleekness or symmetry, still 

 they suffice for the requirements of a colony, which has the 

 good sense to study the useful in preference to the orna- 

 mental Handsome horses, nevertheless, are to be obtained 

 from the Stages, if handsome prices be given for them. 



Mules, of a superior kind, are occasionally imported from 

 the United States. 



Donkeys, with carts and harness complete, -are not un- 

 frequently imported fiom England by masters of Bermudian 

 vessels, who realise a handsome profit by the speculation. 



