The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-03-28
NO.IO.
Chinese Animal Life.

Chinese horses are not numerous. and
are of poor stuDted breed, being very
i'll fed and kept. The Chinese are in
debted to the Tartars for their supply of
these animals when wanted for warlike
purposes. Asses and mules ere common.
The latter are generally of good .ize to
bear big ber price than horses, as being
capable of more labor With less food or
Pachydcrm stus animals, the domestic pig
of China is well k0own in England, aud
has been freely introduced into our farm
yards. The larger and more ferocious
descriptions Of the carniverous quadru-
peds arc not CON mon 10 a couDtry SO we'll
peopled and cultivated. Bears are said
to be found in the wooded parts of Pekin.
There is fierce description of wildcat,
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 black color, and coarse
bristly hair on the back: sharp upright
ears, and peaked head, not unlike a fox's,
with tail curled over the rump. The
sheep are the arge-tailed kind; and as the
people never use milk, cows are rare and
of peculiarly small kind. Goats are
everywhere. The buffalo used in blowing
is also very small with skin Of slate
color, and very thinly covered With hair.
DroDedaries are used as beasts of bur-
den. OF rodent animals the common rat
attains to an unusual size, and is eaten
L. Al ~
Hares and rabbits are scarce. The or
anthology Of China is distinguished by
some splendid varieties of galinaceous
birds, as the gold and silver pheasants.
Partrldges do not appear to be very plen-
tiful. Domestic fowls abound; and spar
rows, thrushes, larks, tits. fncbes, swal-
lows, &c. are common. 1t 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,
&C., constantly on the wing Quails are
numerous, and are trained to 6ght.--
Ringdoves 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 every
where. In consequence of the large pop
ulation and traffic, venomous serpents, l
believe, are scarcely met with. The
lizard tribes abound. also scorpions, cen.
tipedes and monstrouS spiders, which are
said to kill small birds. The common
6y is an awful pest. They beggar de-
scription, they darken room or tent,
and when you are eating they dispute
every morsel with you and Ay into your
mouth, getting down your throat if they
can. The eyes, ears, and nose are con-
tinually attacked by them As to mus
ketos, had enough of these gentry at
Hong Kong: if they dwelt here along
With the flies, the country would be sbso-
solutely unbearable. Butterflies are Of a
gigantic size and very brilliant colors.-
Almost every fish cormon to England is
to be found here. But the golden carp
and sturgeon are of the most distinguish
ed kinds. The best edible sea fsh is
rock cod Soles are very fine and plen-
tiful. At the head of Chinese botany
may be placed the tea a-plaDt 1t is ex-
tensively cultivated few miles to the
west of Pekin. but the great tea districts
lie further south.-Letter from q Medical
Officer,