Zebras. 81 



the animal generally seen in captivity, and popu- 

 larly known as " the zebra/' 



Three species of zebra are indigenous to, and 

 formerly abounded in, South Africa namely, the 

 common zebra, which inhabits the mountainous 

 districts of Cape Colony, where, as we have said, 

 it is fast verging on extinction; BurchelPs zebra, 

 still found in considerable numbers north of the 

 Orange River, beyond which, in a southerly direc- 

 tion, its range apparently never extended, at all 

 events, in historical times; and, lastly, the quagga, 

 now nearly if not actually extinct, which ranged 

 no further north than the Vaal River. All three 

 species have been from time to time represented 

 at the Zoo ; but we fear that it is hardly within 

 the bounds of possibility that a live quagga should 

 ever again be seen there. The death of both the 

 common zebras is most unfortunate, and we fear 

 that they will not be easily replaced. As they 

 stood in stalls adjoining those of the BurchelPs 

 zebras, the difference in form, colouration, and 

 markings between the two species could be easily 

 observed. The common zebras are far the most 

 asinine in appearance, having longer ears, shorter 

 manes, and less hair on their tails than their 

 allies, the BurchelFs zebras; they are also smaller. 

 Perhaps the most noticeable difference, however, 

 between the two species is in the colour and 

 markings, the common zebra being white striped 

 with black, with the exception of its nose, which 

 is bright bay, the stripes extending to the hoofs; 



