Animals.
The native animal reign counts thirty-nine families; among them we find the deer, the buck, the otter, the carpincho and many others, the skins of which are exported.
There are more than 500 species of birds, among them the ostrich, the white stork, the wood turkey, the swan, the water duck, the heath cock, the moor cock, the partridge, the wood pigeon, etc. Among the singing birds the varieties are innumerable. Among the fowl, they bring up all kinds of hens, the duck, the goose, the pigeon, the turkey, etc.
There are fourteen species of shells, and seven among the crustaceous.
As for fishes, there are to be found numerous and rich varieties of salt and fresh water ones. Large quantities of the first class are taken over to Buenos Ayres every day by the steamers. Pisiculture is destined to have a great development here. An important fishery is already established on the coasts of Maldonado. The bringing up of salmon has already been tried. The only things wanting still are money and technical directions for the reproduction of the richest kinds of fishes, so as to supply with great advantage the Montevideo and Buenos Ayres markets.
The principal industry in the country is the cattle and horse-breeding, which, as will further on be seen, produces in a prodigious way. This industry was introduced into the country in the time of the conquest by the Spaniards.
Actually they improve and refine the cattle and horses by the crossing with the pure blood animals which continually come from Europe and the Argentine Republic. Already there exist important establishments with thoroughly pure blood animals born in the country, having already begun the wholesale of oxen and cows for consumption, and of horses for races and coach. The sheep are now a great deal finer. The improvement began in the year 1832, with two Negretti and Rambouillet rams, and this is the reason why the wool, for its good quality, is so much valued in European markets. Besides the merino sheep, a great many other races have been introduced, and among them some of very good flesh, like the Southdowns, of which there are already numerous herds.