240 Mr. E. Blyth on the different Animals known as Wild Asses. 



guished in adults *." In the Asiatic Society's stuffed speci- 

 mens, especially when viewed from some distance, the dull 

 ruddy-brown or rufous-chestnut hue (approaching to bay, espe- 

 cially on the head) of the upper parts becomes gradually but 

 distinctly darker on the flanks, to where it abruptly contrasts 

 with the white of the belly ; and in an adult the jowl and sides 

 of the neck are white, reaching nearly up to the mane at the 

 setting-on of the head, whence the brown above gradually widens 

 backward to the shoulder; the white of the under parts also 

 ascends above the elbow-joint, and posterior to the very dull 

 indication of the shoulder- cross, which is not darker than where 

 the body-hue contrasts with the white of the flanks. The stuffed 

 foal is generally a trifle darker, and a little different in the rela- 

 tive extension of its shades, — the dorsal stripe being also less 

 sharply defined, though only in consequence of the hair being 

 longer. No doubt individuals vary more or less, like individual 

 Ghor-khurs. 



Comparing the hoofs together, the only difference that I can 

 perceive consists in the fact that the Kyang-skins before me are 

 those of wild animals, with the hoofs duly worn by constant ac- 

 tion ; whereas those of a Ghor-khur, belonging formerly to a 

 captive individual, are much less worn, and accordingly are not 

 so shapely. The lirnb-bones present no difference whatever. In 

 the skulls the only diversity that I can perceive may be fully 

 accounted for by disparity of age. We have the skull of a ma- 

 ture female Kyang, with its last molars long in wear ; and this 

 corresponds with Major Cunningham's figures of the skull of a 

 male Kyangf. With these I compare that of an adolescent 

 male Ghor-khur, with the penultimate molars just coming into 

 wear, the last being enclosed within their sockets, the two fore- 

 most deciduary premolars (on each side above and below) about 

 to be replaced, and a medial pair of permanent incisors (above 

 and below) just passing through the gums. A Horse at this 

 stage of development would be reckoned as 2J years old. At 

 this particular age, I can perceive no further difference than can 

 be accounted for by incomplete development on the part of the 

 immature Ghor-khur J. 



Having thus elaborately compared them, it is impossible to 



* Travels in the Himalayan Provinces, i. 443. 



f Ladak, &c, pi. 6, p. 195. 



X Since the above was in type, the Asiatic Society has received from 

 Major Lumsden, late in charge of the Kandahar Mission, an imperfect 

 skin and a skull of an adolescent male Ghor-khur from the vicinity of 

 Kandahar. Its last molars were just coming into wear, corresponding to 

 about four years old in the Horse. The skin shows the short summer 

 vesture, and is of the same cream-colour or light isabelline hue as Major 

 Tytler's three living specimens — the true desert colouring ; and this hue 



