2i8 THE HORSE AND ITS RELATIVES 



As already mentioned, the ass is nearly related 

 to the true zebra of Southern and South-western 

 Africa, with which it agrees in general form, in the 

 shape of the head, in the length of the ears, 

 and in the narrowness of the hoofs. With the ex- 

 ception that one (or occasionally a pair) is very 

 generally retained on the shoulders, and that 

 barring frequently persists on the legs, the ass has, 

 however, lost the stripes of its southern cousin, 

 evidently in adaptation to a life on desert plains. 

 In the frequent retention of barring on the legs 

 the species presents a remarkable contrast to the 

 quagga and the southern races of the bontequagga, 

 whose colouring has also been modified in accord- 

 ance with the requirements of a very similar mode 

 of life, but in which the leg-barring has been the 

 first of the dark markings to disappear. 



In contrast to the chestnut or sandy tint 

 characteristic of the Asiatic kiang and onager, the 

 general colour of the wild ass is grey ; but this is 

 most marked in summer, when the coat is clear 

 French grey, whereas in winter, when it is also 

 slightly longer, it becomes sandy grey. The muzzle 

 is white, with the lips ashy, and a ring round each 

 eye, the under-parts, and generally the limbs, are 

 likewise white. The mane and tail-tuft are blackish, 

 as are also the dorsal stripe, the shoulder-stripe, and 

 the barrings on the legs, when these are retained. 

 In domesticated breeds the colour ranges from 



