272 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



read that the greatest of all beings, when performing 

 His divine mission upon earth, and was about to give 

 Himself up as a sacrifice for us, rode into Jerusalem 

 upon an ass, thereby showing His humility. 



Asses are eminently creatures of a warm climate, 

 where they have a smooth, sleek coat, well-made legs, 

 and elevated carriage of the head. They were introduced 

 into Great Britain at an early period, for we hear of 

 twelve shillings being paid for one in the time of Ethel- 

 red; but they are supposed to have become extinct, 

 and to have been re-introduced in the reign of Queen 

 Mary, in consequence of our then intercourse with Spain. 

 They are still in great perfection in Persia, where there 

 are two varieties, one kept for riding, and the other fcr 

 carrying burthens. The former are very strong, lift 

 their legs well, and are broken in as horses are. But 

 the best are said to be natives of Arabia. They are 

 not all larger than ours, a smaller variety being fre- 

 quently met with; nor have they all the dark streak 

 across the shoulders. They are of a pale yellow, silvery 

 grey, brown, and reddish colours. The celebrated white 

 asses are albinos. All have a short black mane, a 

 dark streak upon the back ; and their tail, which so 

 particularly distinguishes them from horses, is covered 

 with short hair, except at the tip, which is adorned 

 with a tuft, generally dark in colour. Their peculiar 

 cry or bray is produced by two small cavities in their 

 windpipes. Their hoofs are in Damascus made into 

 rings, which the lower classes wear under their armpits 

 or round their thumbs, to save them from the rheuma- 

 tism. Their flesh is much esteemed as food among the 

 Persians and Tartars. They are fond of congregating 

 near Lake An?l in the summer, but go farther to tho 



