Mr. E. Blyth on the different Animals known as Wild Asses, 245 



probably the original animal of its kind [i.e. species domesticated] 

 in the country; for it is first mentioned in connexion with this 

 part of the world (Gen. xii. 16; Exod. iv. 20), and it was after- 

 wards considered as a royal animal*." Here at least two species 

 are indicated, which are likely to be the Asinus hemippus and 

 the genuine A. vulgaris in its aboriginally wild state; and the 

 wild Asses of the island of Socotra may be presumed to be no 

 other than the latter. They are noticed by the late Lieut. Well- 

 sted, R.N., who remarks, "Amidst the hills over Tamarida, and 

 upon the plain contiguous to it, there are a great number of 

 Asses, which were described to me as different from the domestic 

 Ass ; but, after repeated opportunities of observing them, I could 

 find no reason for such a distinction. The introduction of 

 Camels," he remarks, " having superseded the necessity of em- 

 ploying them as beasts of burden, they are permitted to stray 

 where they please, and now wander about in troops of ten or 

 twelve, evincing little fear unless approached very near, when 

 they dart away with much rapidity." It is more likely that 

 they are truly aboriginal. 



The genuine wild Ass would, however, appear to be chiefly an 

 inhabitant of North-east Africa, where considerable troops of 

 these animals still exist, as described by ancient authors ; and, 

 being of prehistorical antiquity, it does not appear upon what 

 grounds the late Prince of Canino pronounced them to be the 

 descendants of domestic Donkeys, like those (for certain) in the 

 hotter parts only of America ; for it may be remarked that it is 

 only in a hot climate that the Ass has returned to wildness f, 

 and the domestic Ass is said to thrive only in a warm climate, 

 and to be reared with difficulty even in Norway. To this sub- 

 ject, however, I propose to return in the sequel. 



Whether or not inhabiting the southern parts of the peninsula 

 of Arabia (which our friends at Aden should endeavour to ascer- 



* Col. C. H. Smith remarks that the Ass is " repeatedly mentioned in 

 the Pentateuch before the Horse is noticed, — as in the sacrifice of Abra- 

 ham, in his visit to Egypt, where he received presents from Abimelech, and 

 in the spoils of Shechem — where Asses are mentioned with other cattle, 

 but the Horse is not mentioned." The Horse is supposed to have been 

 introduced into Egypt by the Hyksos. In Assyria it was reclaimed at the 

 period of the oldest monuments, as abundantly demonstrated, by the 

 discoveries of Layard and others, since Col. Smith wrote. 



t Azara notices, of those which have gone wild in South America, and 

 especially about Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz — where he states that the in- 

 creasing population was fast destroying them (and may have done so by 

 this time) — that those which he saw " appeared to be somewhat larger 

 than the domestic Asses of Paraguay, but smaller than the common Asses 

 of Spain ; nor does that large race," he adds, " which is there used for the 

 breeding of mules, exist in these parts. They also appear to have larger 

 and stiffer ears than in my native country." 



