HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



233 



of fifty thoufand head of cattle. But nothing can (hew 

 the aftonifhing multiplication of thofe quadrupeds fo 

 well as the cheapnefs of them in thofe countries in which 

 they are neceffary for the fubfiftence of man, and the la- 

 bours of the field, and where, on account of the abun- 

 dance of filver, every thing is fold dear (V.J In lhort, 

 oxen have multiplied in Mexico, in Paraguay, and other 

 countries of the new world more than in more ancient 

 Italy (d). 



With refpecl: to the fize of American oxen it is eafy 

 to gain perfect information, as mips loaded with their 

 lkins frequently arrive at Lifbon and at Cadiz (i). Let 

 Mr. de Paw, therefore, or any perfon who maintains the 

 degeneracy of European animals in the new world, mea- 

 fure fifty or one hundred of thofe hides, and if they are 

 found fmaller than thofe of the common oxen in Europe, 

 we mail immediately confefs, that the climate of Ame- 

 Vol. III. H L rica 



(c) In the country round Mexico, the capital of New Spain, although it is 

 well peopled, a pair of oxen for the plough are fold for ten fequins, and bulls 

 by wholefale at forty-five paolis each. In the country round Guadalaxara, the 

 capital of New Gallicia, a pair of good oxen are worth from fix to feven fequins, 

 a cow twenty-five paoli. In many other countries of that kingdom, thofe ani- 

 mals are fold for lefs. In many places of the provinces on the river of Plata a 

 cow is to be had for five paoli. According to an account we have obtained from 

 a perfon of credit, well acquainted with the provinces on the above river, the 

 oxen which are in herds amount to about five millions in number, and it is 

 computed there are about two millions running wild in the woods. 



{d\ Timeus, a Greek author, and Varro, both cited by Aulus Gellius (NocL 

 Attic, lib. ii. cap. i.) have faid that Italy was fo called from the abundance of 

 oxen in it, which in the ancient Greek language were called /taXo/: whence 

 Gellius affirms that italia fignifies armentojifima. 



(e) Every perfon knows that no country has more commerce with Spain in 

 ox-hides than Paraguay, from whence vefTels are fent entirely loaded with them. 

 We have been informed byperfons of credit who were experienced in that coun- 

 try, that the lkins that were carried from thence to Spain, are at leaft three varas 

 (a Spanifh meafure ) long, and many are four, or more than ten Parifian feet. 

 There are not, we conceive, three countries in Europe where oxen grow to fuch 

 a fize. 



