THE GREW ZEBRA I 57 



coaches between Pretoria and Pietersburg, and — 

 contrary to the received opinion regarding these 

 animals — proved themselves to be most willing 

 and docile steeds, neither kicking nor biting when 

 once broken in. The success of this effort caused 

 more zebras to be purchased : but as the experi- 

 ments continued, it became evident that though 

 willing enough, they were not sufficiently strong for 

 continuous work, and the matter was abandoned.^ 

 Burchell "s zebra stands about twelve hands high 

 at the withers, having the make and proportions 

 of a stout pony : one cannot, however, expect 

 wild-caught animals, even of this size, to be equal 

 to such heavy and continued work as is implied in 

 the daily to and fro journeyings of a mail-coach. 

 There remains, however, a splendid and little- 

 known zebra, whose powerful frame might well be 

 employed in the service of man. This species 

 is a native of Shoa, Somaliland, and British East 

 Africa north of the Tana River : it is known as 

 Grevy's zebra. 



Grevy's zebra [Eqmts grcvyi) is a magnificent 

 creature, with the handsome form and ample 

 proportions of a horse. The head, although 

 terminatinor in an elono-ated face and surmounted 

 by large wide ears, is extremely beautiful in its 

 outlines, which suggest those of an antelope 



1 The domestication of Burchell's zebra has now been recommenced 

 in East Africa. 



