ticals; whereas a single horn of moderate size,
and having the approved marks, has been known
to fetch no less than two hundred and forty.
The hog, called Mu in Siamese, an animal which
appears to be universally distributed through tro-
pical Asia, exists also in great abundance in the
forests of Siam. Through the care of the Chinese,
it is extensively bred in the towns ; and I
have been assured, that at Bangkok no less than
two hundred were slaughtered every morning.
The lard, prepared with great nicety by the Chinese,
is exported to the European settlements of
the neighbouring countries.
Of the single-hoofed quadrupeds, the horse
(Ma, in Siamese) is the only species known in
Siam or its dependent provinces; for even the
ass, so general in the dry countries of Central
and Western Asia, as well as in many parts of
China, is here a stranger. The full-sized horse
is unknown in every tropical country to the eastward
of the Burrumpooter, whether insular or
continental, China not excepted. The horses of
Siam are ponies under thirteen hands high. Few
are reared within Siam Proper. The greater
number are produced in the more northerly
country of Lao, and a few are said to be imported
from the neighbouring Chinese province
o f Yu-nan.
O f the ruminating quadrupeds, Siam produces,
Recording to the Siamese, seven distinct species of
deer (Cervus), the Goat, the Ox, and the Buffalo.
The most common species of deer are the ordinary
Stag ( Cervus Elaphus), and the Indian Roe
( Cervus muntjac). In the southern provinces,
the Chevrotin (Moschus pygmoeus and Jvanicus of
Buffon) is frequent. The Axis, or spotted deer,
and the Antelope, of every species, are, as far as I
could understand, unknown. The Goat (Pe), in
the wild state, is stated by the Siamese to be
found in some of the mountains of their country,
and to be shot for their horns, which are prized
by the Chinese for certain alleged restorative qualities.
A small race is found in the domestic
state, occasionally seen about the temples, but
producing very little milk; and their slaughter
being forbidden by the religion of the country,
they are put to no useful purpose. The Sheep
(leeh) is neither a native of the country nor naturalized.
The Ox (Bos Taurus) is found wild in the
Siamese forests, and exists very generally in the
domestic state, particularly in the northern provinces.
Those we saw about the capital were
short-limbed, compactly made, and frequently
without horns. They were generally of a red or
a dark brown colour, and never of the white or
grey, so prevalent amongst the cattle of H in dostán.
They also want the hump over the
shoulders, which characterises the latter. They
are used only in agricultural labour, for their