952 



PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part III. 



tially. The concha cartilages of the ears are, however, considerably more elongated : the 

 spinous processes of the dorsal vertebrae forming the withers are less extensive ; and the 

 bones of the extremities in general are less angularly placed; from whence results his 

 inferiority in speed. It is also to the unbending lines of the spine, that his motions are 

 rendered so uneasy to a person placed on the middle of his back. Some specialty oc- 

 curs in the feet, w^hich, like the horses of arid climes, are small and upright. His laryn- 

 geal sonorous sacs and cordie vocales are not altogether like those of the horse, from 

 w^hence his aptitude to bray instead of neighing. In the ass there are three laryngeal 

 sacs as in the horse ; but instead of a vk^ide opening into them, there is a small round 

 hole, and the anterior sac is a real bag of considerable size. In the horse, there is also, 

 at the commissure of the cordae vocales, a slight membranous fold not visible in the ass. 

 These organs in the mule are compounded of these forms. Braying appears produced 

 through the mouth, whereas neighing is principally effected by the nose. There is a 

 hollow membranous cavity at the back of the mouth that is greatly assistant to this 

 trumpet-like noise, which is effected by convulsively displacing the velum palati by 

 alternate inspirations and expirations. 



6096. The diseases of the ass, as far as they are known, bear a general resemblance to 

 those of the horse. As he is more exposed, however, and left to live in a state more 

 approaching to natural, he has few diseases. Those few, however, are less attended to 

 than they ought to be ; and it is for the veterinary practitioner to extend to this useful 

 and patient animal the benefit of his art, in common with those of other animals. 

 The ass is seldom or never troubled with vermin, probably from the hardness of its skin. 



6097. The ass is shod with a narrow web, and with heels projecting beyond the heel 

 of the foot, and slightly turned up, for he seldom overreaches ; but much care is re- 

 quired in using small nails, and in very carefully driving them. The hinder shoes differ 

 little from those used for the fore feet. 



Chap. III. 

 Of the Mule and Hinny, Hybrids of the Horse and Ass. 



6098. The Mule Equus Asinus, var. y. Mulus, Jj. Grand Mulct, Fr. ; Grosser 

 Maulessel, Ger. ; Mula, Span, and Ital. is the hybrid produce of an ass with a mare; 

 having a large clumsy head, long erect ears, a short mane, and a thin tail, 



6099. The Hinny Equus Asinus, var. 8. Hinnus, L. Bardeau or Petit Miilet, Fr.^ 

 Kleiner Maulessel^Ger.; Mulo, Span, and Ital. is the hybrid produce between the she-ass 

 and a stallion ; the head is long and thin, the ears are like those of a horse, the mane is short, 

 and the tail is well filled with hair. The hinny is much less common than the mule, 

 because, being less hardy and useful than the other, he is never cultivated. 



6100. The mule, commonly so called, is much valued for the saddle, and for drawing 

 carriages in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the East, and in the warmer parts of America. 

 In those countries where great attention is paid to the breed, it is as tall as the horse, 

 exceedingly well-limbed, but not hO handsome, especially about the head and tail. These 

 animals are mostly sterile ; some, indeed, have thought that they are altogether incapable 

 of producing their kind ; but some few instances have occurred, in which female mules 

 have had foals, and in which even the male has impregnated females both of the ass and 

 horse species, though such instances are exceedingly rare. 



6101. The mules made use of in the southern parts of Europe, are now brought to an astonishing perfec- 

 tion as well as great size. {fig. 638.) 

 They are usually black, strong, 

 well-limbed, and large, being most- 

 ly bred out of fine Spanish mares. 

 They are sometimes fifteen or six- 

 teen hands high, and the best of 

 them worth forty or fifty pounds. 

 No creatures are so proper for large 

 burdens, and none so sure-footed. 

 They aremuch stronger for draught 

 than our horses, and are often as 

 thick-set as our dray-horses, and 

 will tiavel several months together, 

 with six or eight hundred weight 

 upon their backs. Some think it 

 surprising that these animals are 

 not more propagated here, as they 

 are so much hardier and stronger 

 than horses, less subject to diseases, 

 and capable of living and working 

 to twice the age of a horse. Those 

 that are bred in cold countries are 

 more hardy and fit for labor than 

 those bred in hot; and those which are light made arc fitter for riding than horses, as to the walk and 



