128 Quadrupeds. 



was very carefully attended to. In the time of Elizabeth, 

 we are informed, there were no Asses in this country. 

 Our treatment of this very useful animal is both wanton 

 and cruel, and most ungrateful, considering the great 

 services he renders us at so little expense. The ears 

 of the Ass are of an uncommon length; and he is 

 of a greyish or dun colour, with a black cross on his 

 back and shoulders. When very young, the Ass is 

 sprightly, and even tolerably handsome; but he soon 

 loses these qualifications, either by age or ill-treatment, 

 and becomes slow, sullen, and headstrong. The female 

 is passionately fond of her young one ; and it is said she 

 will even cross fire and water to protect or rejoin it. 

 The Ass is also sometimes greatly attached to its owner, 

 whom he scents at a distance, and plainly distinguishes 

 from others in a crowd. 



The female goes with young eleven months, and 

 seldom produces more than one foal at a time : the teeth 

 follow the same order of appearance and renewal as 

 those of the horse. Asses' milk has long been cele- 

 brated for its sanative qualities ; invalids suffering 

 from debility of the digestive and assimilative functions 

 make use of it with great advantage; and to those 

 also who are consumptive it is very generally recom- 

 mended. 



An old man who, a few years ago, sold vegetables in 

 London, used in his employment an Ass, which conveyed 

 his baskets from door to door. Frequently he gave the 

 poor industrious creature a handful of hay, or some 

 pieces of bread, or greens, by way of refreshment or 

 reward. The old man had no need of any goad for the 

 animal, and seldom, indeed, had he to lift up his hand 

 to drive it on. His kind treatment was one day re- 

 marked to him, and he was asked if his beast was apt to 

 be stubborn ? " Ah ! master," replied he, " it is of no use 

 to be cruel, and as for stubbornness, I cannot complain ; 

 for he is ready to do anything and go anywhere. I bred 

 him myself. He is sometimes skittish and playful, and 

 once ran away from me ; you will hardly believe it, but 

 there were more than fifty people after him, attempting 

 in vain to stop him ; yet he turned back of himself, 



