All domestic mammiferous animals introduced into America have become
more numerous than the indigenous animals. The hog multiplies very
rapidly, and assumes much of the character of the wild boar. Cows did
not at first thrive, but, in St. Domingo, only twenty-seven years after
its first discovery, 4,000 in a herd was not uncommon, and some herds of
8,000 are mentioned. In 1587, this island exported 35,444 hides, and New
Grenada 64,350. Cows never thrive nor multiply where salt is wanting
either in the plants or in the water. They give less milk in America,
and do not give milk at all if the calves be taken from them. Among
horses the colts have all the amble, as those in Europe have the trot:
this is probably a hereditary effect. Bright chestnut is the prevailing
colour among the wild horses. The lambs which are not from _merinos_,
but the _tana basta _and _burda_ of the Spaniards, at first are covered
with wool, and when this is timely shorn, it grows again; if the proper
time is allowed to elapse, the wool falls off, and is succeeded by
short, shining, close hair, like that of the goat in the same climate.
Every animal, it would appear, like man, requires time to accustom
itself to climate.
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