THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 241 



world, especially Persia, Tartary, and some portions 

 of Africa. Most ancient historians, and Xenoplion in 

 particular, mention the numerous wild asses of Asia : 

 they are very difficult to be approached from an ex- 

 quisite quickness of the organs of smelling and hearing ; 

 they are also very fleet, and defend themselves with 

 great ferocity. How different when in a domesticated 

 state ! they are then all that is docile and tractable, 

 will live very poorly, and yet thrive, but -they are at all 

 times very cleanly : they will drink none but the purest 

 water, and avoid mud and dirt in the roads if possible. 



The asses of Spain are supposed to be the finest in 

 the world, next to which rank those of Italy ; great 

 portions of these two countries being traversed by 

 mountains, the inhabitants have devoted much care 

 and attention in the production of this animal. In 

 Egypt and Arabia are frequently seen asses of very su- 

 perior size and beauty. 



The Zebra bears a close proximity to the asinine 

 species, having the head and ears very similar to the 

 mule in size, but the legs and loins are symmetrically 

 small and beautiful : the regularity of the stripes and 

 glossy smoothness of the skin adds greatly to the ap- 

 pearance. They are remarkably strong and alert, and 

 can seldom be taken unawares. 



The Quggai — is nearer to the horse in shape, though 

 not so handsome as the Zebra; still they are fine-look- 

 ing, strong, and admirably proportioned. Neither of 

 these animals have been domesticated. Indeed, unless 

 the Zebra were taken when very young, it has been 

 found impossible to break their wild spirit. 



It has been a question, whether either of these ani- 

 mals crossed with a thorough-bred mare, would not 

 produce good racers ? The experiment, however, has 

 not been yet tried. 



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