10 



the spoilinpT of beef, and a diminution of the poM'ers of labour : we are 

 indeed uninformed as to the motives for sucli a cross. 



The motives for breeding the common Mule are, to obtain a labour- 

 ing animal of less expence than the Horse. This animal, according 

 to nature's general rule, of like prochic'ing like, inferior to one parent 

 and superior to the other, makes a hardy and jjatient drudge, either 

 for the saddle or draught, well calculated for barren, hilly, and stonv 

 countries, partaking of the nature of the Ass in hardiness, and being 

 content with inferior provender, in sure-footedness and longevity ; and 

 of the nature of the Horse, in size, strength, and speed. The defects 

 of the Mule, his restiveness and asinine qualities are well known. 

 The production of mule animals, which possess not the power of pro- 

 creation, appears to be nature's bar to an extreme confusion of species; 

 but, as if no general rule could exist without an exception, well attested 

 instances haA^e been published of Mules which have bred : the circum- 

 stance has occurred formerly in Hai//i, in the West Indies, and also 

 lately in North Britain, a particular account of which may be found 

 in the Farmer's Magazine. 



A curious circumstance leads us a little out of our way to speak of 

 the Ass. It seems to be the only domesticated animal which our salu- 

 brious climate and fertile soil have not improved. In fact, the Ass has 

 degenerated with us. He bears the indubitable mark of a southern 

 origin, and we believe was unknown in this country until the reign of 

 Queen Elizabeth. Being comparatively of small use here, he has been 

 generally confined to the very lowest of the people, and, in course, has 

 had little chance of improvement ; it is, however, not very clear to 

 judge from those few among us which have been well kept, that the 

 Ass Avill acquire any great size in Britain, either because the original 

 breed imported was small, or that our climate is unsuitable. The 

 Grecian, Maltese, Spanish, and in general the southern Asses, are ani- 

 mals of large size, some of them exceeding the height of fifteen hands, 

 and in all respects superior to those produced in this country : never- 

 tlieless the English Mule is preferred to the Spanish, in the West India 

 markets, and brings a much greater price; doubtless on account of being 

 bred from English mares, the stallion ass too, being frequently foreign. 



SECTION 



