22g OFFSP&IllG OF AN ASS AND ZEBRA. 



a very large and strong Spanish ass. T am ignorant whetlitfr 

 nature has given to the zebra, as to the ass, the power of 

 breathing through its mouth as well as through its nostrils; 

 or whether the passage of the breath is confined to the 

 nostrils only, as in the horse : but I observed, that the mule 

 zebra uttered its cry, which a good deal resembled the 

 braying of an ass, through its mouth ; corresponding in 

 thia respect with the male, which is obtained from the male 

 ass and the mare, and differing from that which is derived 

 from the horse and the female ass. 

 was intracta- The temper of the mule zebra, as might have been ex- 

 * pected from its parentage, was sullen, vindictive, and un- 



tractable. It was nevertheless sufficiently subdued to per- 

 mit itself to be ridden ; but a considerable time generally 

 elapsed before the mule and the rider could agree about 

 the direction in which they were to move; and when that 

 point was in some degree settled, the labour, to the rider, 

 of impelling and guiding his companion, was found so 

 much to exceed that of walking on foot, that the services of 

 the mule were not much in repute, or often called for. 

 and a complete Attempts were made to obtain offspring from it both by 

 mule. ^j^g female ass, and the mare; but neither were successful. 



It appeared to possess passions ; but, like other mules, to 

 Died fr»m an ^^ without powers. It met its death by an accident when 

 accident at four rising four years old, and consequently before it had ac- 

 jcafso . quired its full growth and strength: but its size and form, 

 at that age, indicated great powers of bearing weight and 

 undergoing fatigue ; and it would probably have been of 

 great value both as a beast of burden and draught, had not 

 its temper disqualified it for either oftice. 



I am, dear Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 

 THOMAS ANDREW KNIGH f. 



Downton, 4pril the^6thi \81J» 



Vlf. 



' 



