414 CLASSIFICATION OF THE EQUID^. 



into the nostril, has its opening near the inferior commis- 

 sure of the nostril, and on the line of union between the 

 dark-coloured skin and the pink mucous membrane. In 

 the ass and mule, it is situated at the inner face of the outer 

 wing of the nostril. This orifice is sometimes double. 



5. In the ass, the false nostril extends higher up than 

 in the horse. 



6. The male ass has two rudimental teats in the form 

 of small tubercles. They are usually absent in the horse. 



7. The vocal sounds of the ass (braying) are produced 

 in a different manner from those of the horse (neighing). 

 Mr. Delia Gana, F.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Adviser to H.I.M. 

 The Shah of Persia, tells me that the Persians keep large 

 numbers of donkeys. If these asses cause annoyance by 

 being vociferous, the owners effectively stop the braying 

 by lubricating the anus, externally and internally, with 

 butter or other forms of grease. We may, therefore, con- 

 clude that braying can be performed only during strong 

 contraction of the muscles of the abdomen and chest. It 

 is evident that this muscular contraction is not required in 

 the neighing of the horse. 



8. In the ass, the deep depression at the base of the 

 epiglottis is covered by a thin membrane, which is capable 

 of vibrating, and which is wanting in the horse. It may 

 have some influence in causing the voice of the ass to 

 differ from that of the horse. The epiglottis is a carti- 

 lage that acts as a door to the larynx, which is the organ 

 of voice, and which forms an opening into the windpipe. 



9. The ass hardly ever has any irregular markings on 

 its coat, such as a " star," " blaze," " reach," or " stock- 

 ings," all of which are very frequent among horses. A 

 small star, on one or two occasions, is the only mark of 

 the kind I have ever seen in the ass, of which animal I 

 I have not had much experience. 



10. I believe I am correct in saying that the colour of 

 the ass is never of a bright bay, chestnut, red or blue roan, 

 or nutmeg grey. I have seen mules of an iron-grey colour ; 



