A General History of Quadrupeds: The Figures Engraved on Wood
544
A General History of Quadrupeds: The Figures Engraved on Wood
544Overview
In the late eighteenth century, the British took greater interest than ever before in observing and recording all aspects of the natural world. Travelers and colonists returning from far-flung lands provided dazzling accounts of such exotic creatures as elephants, baboons, and kangaroos. The engraver Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) harnessed this newfound interest by assembling the most comprehensive illustrated guide to nature of his day.
A General History of Quadrupeds, first published in 1790, showcases Bewick’s groundbreaking engraving techniques that allowed text and images to be published on the same page. From anteaters to zebras, armadillos to wolverines, this delightful volume features engravings of over four hundred animals alongside descriptions of their characteristics as scientifically understood at the time. Quadrupeds reaffirms Bewick’s place in history as an incomparable illustrator, one whose influence on natural history and book printing still endures today.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780226044859 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | University of Chicago Press |
| Publication date: | 08/01/2009 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 544 |
| File size: | 58 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was a master of book illustration and wood engraving from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His many works include the History of British Birds.
Yann Martel is the author of The Life of Pi and A Twentieth Century Shirt, the latter forthcoming in 2009.
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
THE HORSE.
(Equus Caballus, Linnæus. — Le Cheval, Buffon.)
THE various excellencies of this noble animal, the grandeur of his stature, the elegance and proportion of his parts, the beautiful smoothness of his skin, the variety and gracefulness of his motions, and, above all, his utility, entitle him to a precedence in the history of the brute creation.
The Horse, in his domestic state, is generous, docile, spirited, and yet obedient; adapted to the various purposes of pleasure and convenience, he is equally serviceable in the draught, the field, or the race.
There are few parts of the known world where the Horse is not produced; but if we would see him in the enjoyment of his native freedom, unsubdued by the restraints man has imposed upon him, we must look for him in the wild and extensive plains of Africa and Arabia, where he ranges without control in a state of entire independency. In those immense tracts, the wild Horses may be seen feeding together, in droves of four or five hundred; one of them always acting as sentinel, to give notice of approaching danger: this he does by a kind of snorting noise, upon which they all run off with astonishing rapidity. The wild Horses of Arabia are esteemed the most beautiful in the world: they are of a brown colour, their mane and tail of black tufted hair, very short; they are smaller than the tame ones, are very active, and of great swiftness. The most usual method of taking them is by snares or pits formed in the sand. It is probable there were once wild Horses in Europe, which have long since been brought under subjection. Those found in America were originally of the Spanish breed, sent thither upon its first discovery, which have since become wild, and spread themselves over various parts of that vast continent. They are generally small, not exceeding fourteen hands high, with thick heads and clumsy joints; their ears and necks are longer than those of the English Horses. They are easily tamed; and if by accident they should regain their liberty, they seldom become wild again, but know their master, and may be easily caught by him.
At the age of two years,* the Horse is in a condition to propagate. The mare is generally in season from the latter end of March till the beginning of June; but her chief ardour for the Horse continues only fifteen or twenty days. She goes with young eleven months and some days; continues to breed till the age of sixteen or eighteen years; and lives, on an average, between twenty and thirty years.
Although the Horse is endowed with vast strength and powers, he seldom exerts either to the prejudice of his master: on the contrary, he shares with him in his labours, and seems to participate in his pleasures: generous and persevering, he gives up his whole powers to the service of his master; though bold and intrepid, he represses the natural vivacity and fire of his temper, and not only yields to the hand, but seems to consult the inclination of his rider.
But it must continue to be matter of regret to every feeling mind, that these excellent qualities should be often shamefully abused in the most unnecessary exertions; and the honest labours of this noble animal thrown away in the ungrateful task of accomplishing the purposes of unfeeling folly, or lavished in gratifying the expectations of an intemperate moment.
THE ARABIAN HORSE.
THERE is scarcely an Arabian, how poor soever in other respects, but is possessed of his Horse, which he considers as an invaluable treasure. Having no other dwelling but a tent, the Arabian and his Horse live upon the most equal terms: his wife and family, his mare and her foal, generally lie indiscriminately together; whilst the little children frequently climb without fear upon the body of the inoffensive animal, which permits them to play with and caress it without injury. The Arabs never beat their Horses; they speak to, and seem to hold friendly intercourse with them: they never whip them, and seldom, but in cases of necessity, make use of the spur. Their agility in leaping is wonderful; and if the rider happen to fall, they are so tractable as to stand still in the midst of the most rapid career. The Arabian Horses, in general, are less than the Race Horses of this country; they are easy and graceful in their motions, and rather inclined to leanness. It is worthy of remark, that, instead of crossing the breed, the Arabs take every precaution to keep it pure and unmixed: they preserve, with the greatest care, and for an amazing length of time, the genealogies of their Horses: those of the first kind are called Nobles, being "of a pure and ancient race, purer than milk." They have likewise two other kinds, which, having been degraded by common alliances, sell at inferior prices.
From Arabia, the race of Horses has probably extended into Barbary and other parts of Africa; those being considered as next to the Arabian Horses in swiftness and beauty, though they are somewhat smaller.
* * *
The Spanish Genette is held in great estimation: like the former, it is small, but beautiful, and extremely swift.
The Horses of India and China are of a much less size and more vicious than those of this country, and many of them very small. One of these was some years ago brought into this country as a present to the Queen, measuring only nine hands in height.
THE RACE HORSE.
IN Great Britain, the breed of Horses seems to be as mixed as that of its inhabitants. By great attention to the improvement of this noble animal, by a judicious mixture of several kinds, and by superior skill in management, the English Race Horse* is allowed to excel those of the rest of Europe, or perhaps the whole world. For supporting a continuance of violent exertion (or what is called, in the language of the turf, bottom), they are superior to the Arabian, the Barb, or the Persian; and for swiftness, they will yield the palm to none. An ordinary Racer is known to go at the rate of a mile in less than two minutes; but there have been instances of much greater rapidity; the famous Horse, Childers, has been known to move eighty-two feet and a half in a second, or nearly a mile in a minute; he has run round the course at Newmarket, which is little less than four miles, in six minutes and forty seconds.
THE HUNTER.
IS a happy combination of the Race Horse with others of superior strength, but inferior in swiftness; and may be considered as the most useful breed of Horses in Europe. Their spirit and activity in the field are well known, and can only be equalled by the perseverance with which they endure the much more severe labour of posting on the road, which is now carried on by this active and hardy race, with a celerity unknown at any former period.
Geldings of this kind are sent over to the continent in great numbers: their superior worth is universally acknowledged abroad; and they are sold at very high prices, to foreigners of the first distinction.
The mixture of this with others of inferior rank, forms an endless variety, the different gradations becoming too minute to be discriminated.
THE OLD ENGLISH ROAD HORSE.
IS a strong, vigorous, and active kind, capable of enduring great hardship; its stature rather low, seldom exceeding fifteen hands; the body round and compact, its limbs strong, and its head thick.
Although this breed has of late years been neglected, and almost totally superseded by Horses of another kind, more nearly related to the Race Horse, where the fashion of figure seems to have been preferred to utility, we cannot help congratulating our associated countrymen* on their spirited exertions towards public improvement, in which nothing of excellency in the various kinds of domestic animals is suffered to escape their vigilance, and this kind is again likely to be brought into notice. A mare of this breed, in the possession of Arthur Mowbray, Esq., of Sherburn, appears to us to possess all the valuable properties attributed to the old Road Horse.
THE BLACK HORSE.
No other country has produced a breed of Horses equal in size and strength to the larger kind of our draught Horses. The cavalry of England formerly consisted of this class of Horses; but their inutility being experienced in most situations, others of a lighter and more active kind have been generally substituted, except in a few regiments. In the fens of Lincolnshire a larger breed of Horses is produced than in any other part of this kingdom. In London, there have been instances where a single Horse of that kind, has drawn, for a small space, the enormous weight of three tons, half of which is known to be their ordinary draught.
Considerable improvements have of late years been made in this kind of Horses, by Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, and others; who, by great ingenuity and attention, have acquired such celebrity, that they frequently sell stallions of their respective breeds for two hundred guineas; or, what is a more general practice, let them to hire by the season, for forty, eighty, or perhaps an hundred guineas; and some of them cover at five guineas a mare. The form of the black Lincolnshire Horse has, by their management, been materially altered: the long fore-end, long back, and long thick hairy legs, have been gradually contracted into a short thick carcase, a short but upright fore-end, and shorter and cleaner legs; experience having at length proved, that strength and activity, rather than height and weight, are the more essential properties of farm Horses.
Another advantage possessed by this improved breed, is its hardiness, or thriving quality: its being able to carry flesh, or stand hard work, with comparatively little provender. This hardiness of constitution, or natural propensity to thriving, the Leicestershire breeders assert is hereditary in particular individual breeds or lines of Horses. If this observation be just, and that the feeding quality can be obtained with any degree of certainty by management in breeding, in this as well as other kinds of live stock, it is a most interesting circumstance in the nature of domestic animals.
A strong, bony, and active kind of Horse is now used in our carriages, instead of the old black Coach Horse, which is almost universally laid aside. The docked tail, offensive both to humanity and decency, is rarely to be seen: propriety and good sense have at length prevailed over a custom replete with absurdity; and our Horses are permitted to retain a member both useful and ornamental. But we have still to regret, that the cruel practice of forming the tail, by cutting and nicking it on the under side, is yet continued.
Although it would be impossible to trace out the kind of Horses with which our British ancestors opposed themselves to the legions of Julius Caesar, on his landing in this country, yet that celebrated warrior himself bears testimony to their activity and discipline.
* * *
The Ponies of Wales, and those that are bred in the Highlands of Scotland, seem to be original and unmixed. They are both much esteemed for the neatness and beauty of their forms, for the nimbleness of their motions, and, above all, for being remarkably sure-footed on the most difficult roads, which renders them extremely valuable in the mountainous tracts to which they originally belong. Those of Shetland are the smallest of the genus, being in general much less than the Ass.
THE COMMON CART HORSE.
IS inferior to the Black Horse both in size and strength: his form is heavy, his motions slow, and his aspect without sprightliness: he is nevertheless extremely useful, and is employed in the business of agriculture and other domestic concerns.
THE IMPROVED CART HORSE.
IT will be gratifying to most of our readers to know that the spirit of improvement has extended itself greatly to this useful breed; and to the advantages of strength and docility, has added those of form, activity, and vigour. George, Baker, Esq. of Elemore, in the county of Durham, has a remarkably fine Horse of this kind, from which this figure was drawn.
* * *
Till of late years, Pack Horses were employed, in the northern counties of England, to carry the different manufactures and articles of traffic from one part of the kingdom to another; but the improved state of our roads has caused that mode of conveyance to be almost entirely laid aside. In their journies over trackless moors, they strictly adhered to the line of order and regularity custom had taught them to observe: the leading Horse, which was always chosen for his sagacity and steadiness, being furnished with bells, gave notice to the rest, which followed the sound, and generally without much deviation, though sometimes at a considerable distance. The following anecdote will shew with what obstinate perseverance they have been known to observe the line of their order: — Some years ago, one of these Horses, which had been long accustomed to follow his leader, by accident or fatigue, was thrown into an inferior rank: the poor animal, as if sensible of his disgrace, by the most strenuous exertions, at length recovered his usual station, which he maintained during the remainder of the journey; but on his arrival at the inn-yard, he dropped down dead upon the spot, his life falling a sacrifice to his ambition, — a species of heroism we must admire even in the brute creation.
THE MULE.
THIS useful and hardy animal is the offspring of the Horse and the Ass, and being generally barren, furnishes an indisputable proof that the two species are perfectly distinct. Nature has providently stopped the further propagation of these heterogeneous productions, to preserve, uncontaminated, the form of each animal; without which regulation, the races would in a short time be mixed with each other, and every creature, losing its original perfection, would rapidly degenerate.
Mules have not unfrequently been known to bring forth young, especially in hot countries; and instances have not been wanting, though they are rare, both in England and Scotland. But it would require a succession of experiments to prove that Mules will breed with each other, and produce an offspring equally capable of continuing the race.
The common Mule is very healthy, and will live above thirty years. It is found very serviceable in carrying burdens, particularly in mountainous and stony places, where horses are not so sure-footed. The size and strength of our breed have lately been much improved by the importation of Spanish male Asses; and it were much to be wished, that the useful qualities of this animal were more attended to: for, by proper care in its breaking, its natural obstinacy would in a great measure be corrected; and it might be formed with success for the saddle, the draught, or the burden.
People of the first quality in Spain are drawn by Mules, where fifty or sixty guineas is no uncommon price for one of them; nor is it surprising, when we consider how far they excel the Horse in travelling in a mountainous country, the Mule being able to tread securely where the former can hardly stand. Their manner of going down the precipices of the Alps, the Andes, &c., is very extraordinary; and with it we will conclude their history. In these passages, on one side, are steep eminences, and, on the other, frightful abysses; and as they generally follow the direction of the mountain, the road, instead of lying on a level, forms, at every little distance, deep declivities, of several hundred yards downward. These can be descended only by Mules; and the animal itself seems sensible of the danger, and the caution that is to be used in such descents. When they come to the edge of one of these precipices, they stop without being checked by the rider; and if he inadvertently attempt to spur them on, they continue immoveable. They seem all this time ruminating on the danger that lies before them, and preparing themselves for the encounter. They not only attentively view the road, but tremble and snort at the danger. Having prepared for the descent, they place their fore feet in a posture as if they were stopping themselves; they then also put their hind feet together, but a little forward, as if they were going to lie down. In this attitude, having taken as it were a survey of the road, they slide down with the swiftness of a meteor. In the mean time, all the rider has to do is to keep himself fast on the saddle, without checking the rein, for the least motion is sufficient to disorder the equilibrium of the Mule; in which case they both unavoidably perish. But their address in this rapid descent is truly wonderful; for in their swiftest motion, when they seem to have lost all government of themselves, they follow exactly the different windings of the road, as if they had previously settled in their minds the route they were to follow, and taken every precaution for their safety. In this journey, the natives place themselves along the sides of the mountains; and, holding by the roots of the trees, animate the beasts with shouts, and encourage them to persevere. Some Mules, after being long used to these journies, acquire a kind of reputation for their safety and skill; and their value rises in proportion to their fame.
(Continues…)
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Table of Contents
AAdive
Agouti
Akouchi
Ai
An Amphibious Animal of New South Wales
Ant-eater, the Great the Middle
the Lesser Antelope, the Common the Barbary
the Scythian
the Striped Ape, the Pigmy the Long-armed
the Barbary Armadillo the Three-banded
the Six-banded
the :E:ight-banded
the Nine-banded
theWeasel-headed Ass
Axis
B
Baboon the Great Ribbednose
the Small Ribbednose
the Pig-tailed Baboon, the Dog-faced the Ursine Babiroussa
Babr
Badger the Stinking
the Sow Bat the Short-eared
the Long-eared
the Noctule, or Great
the Pipistrelle
the Barbastelle
the Serotine
the Horse Shoe
the Great Ternate
the Rougette, or Lesser Ternate
the Spectre
the Senegal
the Bull-Dog
the Bearded
the -Striped Bear, the Brown the Black
the Polar Beaver the Little Bison
Blue Goat
Boar, the Wild the Common, or Domestic
the African Wild Bucha
Buffalo
C
Callitrix
Camel the Arabian Cameleopard
Capibara
Caracal the Nubian Carcajou
Caribou
Cat, the Domestic the Wild
the Wild Red of Angora Cavy, the Restless the Spotted
the Long-nosed
the Akouchi
the Rock Chevrotain
Chinche
Civet
Coaita
Coati
Conepate
Corin
Couguar
Coquallin
Cow
D
Deer, Red the Fallow Dog the Shepherd's
the Cur
the Greenland
the Bull
the Mastiff
the Bad
the Dalmation, or Coach
the Irish Greyhound
the Highland Grey hound
the Gazehound
the Greyhound
the Italian Greyhound
the Lyerrimer
the Lurcher
the Tumbler
the Terrier
the Beagle
the Harrier
the Fox-Hound
the Old English Hound
the Kibble Hound
the Blood-Hound
the Spanish Pointer
the English Setter
the Newfoundland
the Rough Water Dog, the Large Water Spaniel
the Small WaterSpaniel
the Springer
Cocker
King Charles's
the Pyrame
the Shock
the Lion
the Comforter
the Turnspit
the Pug Dormouse, the Greater the Lesser Douc
Dromedary
E
Elephant
Elk the American Elk Antelope
Ermine
Exquima
F
Ferret
Fitchet
Fossane
Foumart
Fox the Greyhound
the Mastiff
the Cur
the Black
the Cross
the Arctic Free Martin
G
Gazelles
Gemse-Bok
Genet
Giraffe
Gnu
Goat the Chamois
of Angora
of Thibet
of Portugal
the Syrian
the African Grunting Ox
Grys-Bok
Guanacos
Guinea Pig
Glutton
H
Hamster
Hare the Alpine Hart Beest
Hedge-Hog
Hippopotamus
Hog
Horse the Arabian
the Race Horse
the Hunter
Old English Road
the Black
Pony
the Common Cart Horse, the Improved Cart
Pack Horse Hyena, the Striped the Spotted
I Ibex
Ichneumon
Irbys
J
Jackal
Jaguar
Jerboa
K
Kabassou
Kanguroo
Kanguroo Rat
Kevel
Klip-Springer
Koba
Koedoe
L
Lama
Leming
Leopard
LionLion-Ape
Loris
Louchu
Lynx the Bay
M
Macauco, the Yellow the Ring-tailed
the Tailless
the Mongooz
the Black Mangabey
Manis the Long-tailed Marapute
Margay
Marmot the Quebec
the Earless
the Tailless
the Lapland Martin Yellow-breasted Meminna
Mexican Hog
Mole Radiated
the Yellow Monax
Monkey, the Harelipped the Patas, or Red
the Chinese Bonnet
the Callitrix, or Green
the Varied, or Mona
the Preacher
the Spider
the Weeper
the Saimira, or Orange
the Fox-tailed
the·Great-eared
the Striated
the Silky Monkey, the Red-tailed the Mico, or Fair
Mouflon, or Musmon Mouse Long-tailed Field
Short-tailed Field Shrew
Water Shrew
Dwarf Mule
Musk
Musk-Bull
Musquash, or Little Beaver
Mustache
N
Nanguer
Nems
Nyl-Ghau
O
Ocelot
Ondatra
Opossum, Saragoy Murine
Mexican
the Phalanger
the Spotted
the Vulpine
the Flying
of Van Diemen's Land
Squirrel Oran-Outang
Otter the Sea Ounce
Ox Holstein, or Dutch
Breed
Improved ditto
the Lancashire
the Lancashire Ox
Kyloe
Wild Cattle Orignal
P
Pacos
Panther
Patas
Peccary
Persian Savage
Phalanger
Pied Goat
Pigmy Ape
Polecat
Porcupine the Brazilian
the Canada Potto
R
Rabbit the Domestic
of Angora
the Hooded Raccoon
Ram, Black-faced Heath
Cheviot
Tees-Water
Ditto improved Rat Water
Musk of Canada
Muscovy Musk Ratel
Ree-Bok Riet Rein-Deer
Rhinoceros the Two-horned Roe-Buck
Ruminating Animals
S
Sable
Sagoin
Sajou
Saki
Saccawinkee
Sand Bear
Sapajou
Sarluc
Scaly Lizard
Sea-Horse
Seal the Hooded
the Ursine Serval
Sheep Lincolnshire Breed
Dorsetshire ditto
the Short
Leicestershire do.
Mr Culley's Breed
the Shetland
Dunky, or Dwarf Sheep, the Tartarian the African, or Guinea
the Many-horned
the Broad-tailed
of Thibet
the Wallachian Sifac
Skunk
Sloth
Souslik
Sow, of the Improved
Breed
Chinese
Springer
Squirrel the Grey
the Black
the Ground
the Hudson's Bay
the Barbary
the Palm
the Fat
the Garden
the Flying
the Great Flying
the Hooded
the Long-tailed Stag, or Red-Deer the Corsican
the Axis, or Ganges Steen-Bok
Stifling, or Squash
Stoat
Suricate
Syah-Gush
Swift Antelope
T
Talopoin
Talgoi
Tanrec
Tapiir
Tarsier
Tendrac
Tiger the Black
the Cat
U Unau
Urus, or Wild Bull
Urchin
V
Vansire
W
Walrus
Wanderou
Weasel the White
the Madagascar
the Fisher
the Four-toed
the Brazilian Wolf the New South Wales Wolverine
Wombach
Wood Goat
Z
Zebra
Zebu
Zemni
Zibit
Zizel
Zorilla