NATURAL HISTORY. 167 



but it is certain, that the flesh of the domestic ass is 

 'extremely bad, and harder than that of the horse. 

 The milk of the ass, on the contrary, is an approved 

 and specific remedy for certain complaints, and its use 

 is known from the Greeks to us. That it may be 

 good in its kind, we should choose a young healthv 

 she-ass, full of flesh, that has lately foaled, and which 

 has not since that period been with the male. Care 

 must be taken to feed her well with hay, wheat, and 

 grass. The milk must not be exposed to the air, 

 which will spoil it in a short while. 



The skin of the ass is used for different purposes, 

 such as to make drums, shoes, and thick parchment 

 for pocket-books, which is slightly varnished over. It 

 is also with the skins of asses that the Orientals make 

 the sagri, which we call shagreen. 



The ass is, perhaps, the animal which can carry 

 the greatest weight. As it costs but little to feed 

 him, and as he scarcely requires any care, he is of 

 great use in the country. He also serves fo ride on, 

 as all his paces are gentle, and he stumbles less than 

 the horse. He is frequently put to the plough in 

 countries where the earth is light, and his dung is an 

 excellent manure. 



