442 THE ASS. 



ordered to salute the'company, he turned his head 

 and eyes towards them, and moved one of his fore- 

 feet. What was considered very remarkable in the 

 actions of this animal, and greatly astonished every 

 person present, was, that on a certain signal, he 

 leaped through a large wooden hoop, like a Dog. 

 The exhibition concluded with several persons 

 throwing on the floor, handkerchiefs or gloves, all 

 of which the animal carefully took up in his mouth 

 and carried to his master*. 



The natural duration of life in the Ass is un- 

 derstood to be from twenty-five to thirty years. 

 These animals are about four years before they 

 attain maturity. The period of gestation, in the 

 females, is said by M.de BufFon to be twelve months; 

 and, by Linnaeus, to be about two hundred and 

 ninety days. The produce is generally one foal ; 

 but sometimes they have been known to bring forth 

 two. 



With respect to their diseases, these hardy ani- 

 mals are believed to have much fewer than the 

 Horse. The ancients were acquainted with none 

 except the glanders ; and this is by no means a 

 common disease amongst them. 



From its hardness and elasticity, the skin of the 

 Ass is capable of being used for various purposes. 

 It is manufactured into shoes, heads for drums, and, 



Gesner, Hist. Quad. p. 5. 



when 



