Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-05
The AnimnIa nr Chinn

Chinese boTses are not numerous aud are
of q poor and stunted breed, being very ill
fed and kept. The Chinese are indebted to
the Tartars for their supply of these animals
when wanted for warlike purposes. Asses
and mules are common. The latter are gen
orally of a good size, and said to bear
higher price than horses, as being capable of
more labor with less food. OF pachy derma-
tous animals, the domestic pig of China is
well known in England, and has been freely
introduced into our farm yards. The larger
and more ferocious descriptions of carnivo-
rous quadrupeds are not common in a cOun-
try so well peopled and cultivated. Bears
are said to be found in the wooded parts
west Of Pekin. There is fierce description
of wild cat, which is caught and fattened in
cages for the table.
The domestic dog of China is uniformly
one variety, about the size of a moderate
spaniel, of a pale yellow, and occasionally q
black color, and coarse bristly hair on the
back sharp upright ears, and peaked head,
no! unlike a fOx's, with a tail curled over
the rump. The sheep are the large-tailed
kind; and, as the people never use milk,
cows are rare and Of a peculiarly small kind.
Goats are everywhere. The buffalo used in
plOwiDg is also very small, with a skin Of
Slate color, and very thinly covered with
hair. Dromedaries are used as beasts of
burden.
OF rodent animals, the common rat at
taius TO an unusual size, and is eaten by the
lowest orders Of the natives. Hares aud
rabbits are scarce. The ornithOlOgy of China
is distinguished by some splendid varieties
! Of galliBaceous birds, as the golden and sill
yer pheasants. PartTidges do not appear to
| be very plentiful Domestic fowls abound (;
and sparrows, thrusbes, larks, tits, inches,
| swallows, etc, are common. II is well
stocked with wild fowl of all kinds. From
the nature Of this part OF the country, there
are immense hocks Of wild geese, ducks,
etc, constantly on the wing. Quails are
| numerous, and are trained TO fight. Ring
doves are common and there is peculiar
| crow of the country, marked with white
about the neck. Both large and small birds
of prey are TO be seen everywhere.
In consequence Of the large population
and traffic, venomous serpents, | believe, are
scarcely met with. The lizard tribes abound,
! alFo scorpions, cenbpedes. and monstrous
! spiders, which are said to kill small birds.
The common fly is an awful pest. They
beggar description; they darken a room OF
tent, and when you are eating, they dispute
every mOrsel with you, and fly into your
mouth, getting down your throat If they
can. The eyes, ears and nose are contin-
ually attacked by them. AS to mosquitoes,
had enough OF these gentry al HOng-Kong
II they dwelt here along with the flies, the
eoantry would be absolutely unbearable.
Butterflies are Of a gigantic size and very
brilliant COLOR. Almost every hsh common
to England is 70 be found here. But thi
golden carp and sturgeon are of the mos
distinguished kinds. The best edible sea
fish is rock cod. Soles are very fine AM
plentiful At the head of Chinese botanl
, may be placed the tea plant. 1t is eXtsn
; slStly cultivated a few miles 10 the west O
Pehln, but the great lea districts lie furthe
! south,