130 



Quadrupeds. 



THE MULE. 



THIS useful and hardy animal is the offspring of the 

 horse and the ass, and partakes of the good qualities of 

 both. The common Mule is very healthy, and will live 

 ahove thirty years. The size and strength of our breed 

 have been much improved by the importation of Spanish 

 male asses ; and it is much to be wished that the useful 

 qualities of this animal were more attended to ; for, by 

 proper care in its breaking, its natural obstinacy would 

 in a great measure be corrected ; and it might be formed 

 with success for the saddle, the draught, or the burden. 

 People of the first quality are drawn by Mules in Spain, 

 where fifty and sixty guineas is no uncommon price for 

 them ; nor is it surprising, when we consider how far 

 they excel the horse in travelling in a mountainous 

 country, the Mule being able to tread securely where 

 the former can hardly stand. It is much less dainty in 

 its food than the horse, and not so liable to disease ; 

 and has been known to go a distance of eighty or a 

 hundred miles in one day, with a heavy weight on its 

 back, without much fatigue. 



