61 
THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 
animals underwent in their original transition from the wild state ; and may farther 
compare those half domesticated herds, acknowledging only a partial submission to 
Man, with the humble individuals of their own species, which still yield him a patient 
and implicit obedience. 
It is evident that careful observations should be multiplied over the whole continent 
of America, in order to render this investigation complete ; but wo owe to M. Koulin 
the merit of having -traced some changes in a portion of this vast country. That 
learned physician, during his residence in Colombia for six years, has collected a 
number of interesting facts which were communicated to the Royal Academy of 
Science at Paris in the year 1828. These observations were made in New Grenada 
and a part of Venezuela, from the ad to the 10th degree of North Latitude, and from 
the 70th to tlie 80th degree of West Longitude. However limited this tract of 
country may appear, it offered unusual facilities for observation, being traversed 
throughout its entire course by the great Cordilleras of the Andes, which are here 
divided into three principal chains ; so that, within the distance of a few leagues, the 
same living animals were investigated, though resident in one district, where the medium 
temperature is only 30'’ Fahrenlicit, and in another where it varies from 77° to 86°. 
The Mammalia transported from Europe to America were the Hog, the Horse, 
the Ass, the Shuep, the Goat, tlio Cow, the Hog, and the Cat. It becomes import- 
ant to ascertain whether these animals retain the forms acquired in Europe, or 
whether they have undergone any considerable chango. By oarofully comparing these 
phenomena with the circumstances under which they have arisen, much light may be 
thrown upon those modifications which probably attended the transition of these 
animals from the wild to the domestic state. 
The first Hogs brought to America were introduced by Columbus, and became 
established at Saint Domingo in November 1493, being the year which followed 
its discovery. During the following years they were successively carried into all 
those pUcos where the Spaniaj'ds attempted to fix themselves, and, in the period of 
about half a century, they might be found wild from the 25tli degree of North, to 
the 40th of South Latitude. In no place do their important eliangcs appear to have 
been effected by climate, and they have reproduced every where with the same faci- 
lity as in Europe. 
Most of the pork consumed in New Grenada comes from tho warmest valleys, 
where the Hogs arc bred in largo numbers, from their maintenance costing but little. 
During some seasons they arc even supported wholly by wild fruits, and especially 
by those of the several species of Palms. From roaming constantly in tbo woods, 
the Hog h.-is lost in this district all traces of his former domestication. His ears are 
straight and erect, his head has widened and become elevated in the upper region. 
Tho colour has again bccoino constant, being entirely black. Tho young Pigs have 
several fawn-coloured stripes, like the European Wild Boar in its youth, and upon a 
.ground of tbo same colour. Such arc the Hogs brought to Bogota from the v.-illeys 
of Tocaymii, Cumlay, and Molgar. Their hair is scanty, and on this account they 
bear a striking resemblance to the Wild Boar of Europe, from a year to eighteen 
months old. This deficiency of hair is not, however, peculiar to the Hogs of 
Grenada, hut is also experienced by the common Wild Boar of Europe. M. Iloulin 
observed an instance of it in France, at a farm near Fougeres, where seven or eight of 
these animals were brought up together. One of them, being about two years old, 
had been fed iu a stable from tho beginning of spring, with the intention of fattoning 
it for the market. Though the animal had not been closely confined in this place, 
the good foeibng of the stable was sufiicient to induce it to remain at home. Its hair 
had almost wholly Men off from tho effects of the heat, and it exhibited a most perfect 
resemblance to the Hogs of Melgar above described, except that tlio two horizontal 
stripes on the sides of tho muzzle were more decidedly marked, and gave it a stronger 
expression of ferocity. Tho Hogs of tho Paramos, which are mountains at least 
8,200 feet above the level of the sea, approach much more nearly in appearance to 
the Wild Boar of the European forests, from tho thickness of their hair, which has 
even become frizzled. Beneath, in some individuals, it has been observed to assume a 
Woolly appearance. Tho Hog of these elevated regions is, however, small and stunted, 
from tho want of sufficient food, ami the continued action of an oxcossivo cold. In 
some sultry districts, the Hog is not black Uko those above described, but red, like 
the Peccari, during its youth. At Melgar, and in the other places above mentioned, 
mstancos have been known where the Hogs are not entirely black ; but these arc 
comparatively rare. There is a variety called Cinchados, or girthed, because they 
I'ave a large white band underneath, which usually unites on the back, and always 
preserves a unifonn breadth; and the young individuals of tills variety hear the same 
■'tripes as those of the pui-o black breed. The only Hogs in Colombia which re- 
semble tho common Pigs of Europe, have been imported within the last twenty-five 
years, and these do not come direct from Europe, but from the United States of 
•Auicrica ; and it must be recollected that in the neighbourhood of New York, where 
this race has long been domestioated, it experienced tho influence of a climate very 
t‘“avly tho same ad our own. 
The Horse has bccoino wild in several districts of Colombia, especially in the plains 
°f San Martin, among tho sources of tbo Jlota, tho Rio Negro, ami the Umadoa, 
''■here sra.all troops of Chestnut Horses may bo observed. Their limited numbers, tho 
t’wrow range to which tliey are confined, and the immediate neighbourhood of the itiha- 
‘”tod districts, have proveiitoU them from acquiring those peculiarities which Azara has 
‘■“lated of the Wild Horses of Paraguay. They go about in snmll squadrons, com- 
posed of an old Horse, five or six Mires, with some Foals, and ouo squadron is com- 
pletoly isolated from anotlicr. luatcad of approaching the caravans to entice tho 
'loraestic Horses, they run away on the first appearance of a 3Ian, mid do not stop their 
‘ght until he is out of sight. Their raovemeuts are graceful, especially those of tho 
auer, but their forms, though not heavy, are wanting iu idegance. 
In the Hatos dea Llanos, tbo Horses arc almost wholly left to themselves.- The 
arus are assembled together at intervals to prevent them from becoming absolutely 
<1, to extract tho larva; of tho Gad-fly, and to mark the Foals with a red-hot iron, 
rom this independent kind of life, they begin to acquire the unifonn colour of the 
savage races. The Chestnut bay is not merely the prevalent colour, hut it is very 
Pearly the only one. Something similar to this has probably happened in Spain 
16 
with the Wild Horses (cavallos cerreros) which wander in tho mountains; for in 
the Spanish proverbs, the Horse is often noticed by the name of el bayo (the Bay), 
as well as the Ass by the term rucio (Gray). 
In the small Hatos which are found on tho plateau of the Cordilleras, the effects 
of domestication are more perceptible. Tho colours of the Horses become more 
various; there is also a greater difference in their height; and while many are more 
diminutive than the average of the species, only a few surpass the medium size. As 
long as they live continually in the fields, their hair is tolerably thick and long, but a 
few months’ residence in tho stable is sufficient to render it short and glossy. It is cus- 
tomary to cross this breed of Horses with the races from the warm valleys, especially 
with those of Cauca. On some properties where this precaution has not been at- 
tended to, the Horses have become perceptibly smaller, though the pastures have long 
been celebrated for their richness. The hair has grown to such a degree as to render 
their appearance absolutely deformed. In respect to the useful qualities, this breed 
has lost but little ; and the Horses belonging to one canton aro even celebrated for 
their swiftness. 
^Vhen a Horse is brought from the Llanos do San Martin, or from Casanare, to the 
plateau of Bogota, he must be kept in tbo stable until he is accustomed to the climate. 
If allowed to run loose at once into tho fields, he grows thin, contracts a cutaneous 
disease, and often dies in a few months. The pace which is commonly preferred in 
the saddle-horses is thu amble; this they are made to acquire early, and the greatest 
care is taken not to allow them, when mounted, to take any other pace. In a short 
time, the limbs of these Horses usually become stiff; and then, if otherwise of a good 
form, they are allowed to run in tho Hatos as Stallions. FVom them a race has de- 
scended, in which the amble is with the adults the natural pace. These Horses are called 
aguilillas ; and they form a remarkable instance of the transmission of acquired habits 
from the parent to his offspring. 
The Ass has undergone very few alterations in its form or habits in all the pro- 
vinces visited by M. Roulin. At Bogota it is very common, being there used for 
tr-dnsporting building materials ; but being badly taken care of, and exposed to the 
inclemencies of tho weather, without receiving sufficient nourishment, tho race has 
become small and pitiful. It is covered with very long and uncombed hair. De- 
formed individuals are often seen, not only among the adults, which are loaded pre- 
maturely, and before they have acquired sufficient strength, but also among the 
Foals at their birth. Perhaps the latter circurastaneo may arise from the ill treat- 
ment of tho dams during the period of gestation. 
In the low and warm provinces this animal is less neglected, as it is required for the 
production of Mules. Being well fed. at least in these districts, it becomes larger and 
stronger ; its hair also is shorter and more polished. In no province, however, has 
the Ass reverted to its wild state. 
The Sheep was originally transported to the New World from Spain; and the 
earliest importation appears not to have been the Merino v.iriety, but another, which 
the Spaniards call de lana hurda y hasta (with wool coarse and rude). It is very 
common on tlie Cordilleras, at an elevation of 3,300 to 8,200 feet. 
In no place do the Sheep appear to have escaped from tho protection of Man, 
and hence we find that their manners have undergone scarcely any change; nor can 
any alteration iu their forms bo observed, except a slight diminution of stature. 
Within the limits above defined, the Sheep propagate readily, and almost without re- 
quiring any care; but tho reverse happens in the hotter districts. It appears that in 
the plains of Meta it is very difficult to rear Lambs; and no Sheep are to be seen 
from the river to the foot of tho Cordilleras, although thoir skin is very much in de- 
mand to make a kind of parchment, and that its price is as high as tho hide of an Ox. 
Ill tlie valley which separates the most eastern chain from tho central, they may 
perhaps be sometimes seen, but always in small numbers. The females are not very 
fruitful, and the L-imbs are difficult to rear. 
There is one very curious plietiomenon exhibited by the Sheep of this district. 
Tho fleece grows upon the Lambs in the same manner os in most temperate climates, 
provided they aro sheared as soon as it has ai-rived at a certain degree of thickness, 
in which case the wool grows again, and continues to observe the same order. But 
if the favorable period for stripping tlio animal of its fleece be allowed to pass, the 
wool thickens and becomes matted together, it detaches itself in flakes, and finally 
leaves behind — not, as we might expect, a growing fleece, or a naked and diseased 
skin — but, a short, glossy, and compact hair, exactly resembling that of the common 
Goat in tho same climate. 
Although the Goat is evidently best fitted for a mountainous region, it seems to 
thrive better iu the low and sultry valleys than in tho more elevated regions of the 
Cordilleras. In the former districts it multiplies rapidly, generally bearing two 
young at a birth, often throe, but never six, as some have boon pleased to assert. 
Its height is diminutive, but in other respects its form has greatly improved. Its 
body is more slender, tho shape of its head is more elegant, more pleasingly disposed, 
and usually less overloaded with horns. The agility of this animal, and^its taste for 
climbing and leaping, are also singularly increased. In the public square of a village, 
M. RoiiUn has often seen them leaping more than four feet upwards to tho mould- 
ings on tho pilasters of the church. The projecting place on which their feet rested 
was not tliroc square inches; yet in tliis position, so difficult to preserve, they re- 
mained for hours together, without any other apparent object than that of warming 
tliemselves in tho direct solar rays, as well as in those reflected from below. These 
Goats are covered with short hair, very glossy and thick ; and although they may 
be seen to possess all the shades of colour, yet the most common is fawn, with a 
brown stripe on the back, and black symmetrical marks upon the face. Tho She- 
Goats of Europe strikingly exhibit the influence of domestication in causing a great 
enlargement of tho udders ; for this acquired character has entirely disappeared in 
the She- Goats of America. 
Till! establishment of the larger Cattle in America must be dated, like that of the 
Hogs, from the second voyage of Columbus to St Domingo. In the latter place 
they multiplied rapidly, and tho island soon became tho nursery from which these 
animals were transferred to different points on tho coast of tho Mainland, and thence 
to the interior of the continent. Although these numerous e.xportatious must have 
