ASS— BADGER 63 



animal for the poor crofter. Highland dancing can hardly be 

 associated with the ass, except in the opinion of those who think 

 everyone an ass who does dance, nevertheless it is averred that 

 he had something to do with the invention of the Highland Fling 

 (heel and fling), while endeavouring to rid himself of an obnoxious 

 rider. Of course, religious Celts are familiar with all the 

 Scripture references to the ass, especially to the now discredited 

 tale of Balaam's, not to mention Issachar's, braying under a double 

 burden, typifying, it is said, the unioji of certain churches. The 

 only further religious reference remarkable is that it is said to be 

 " blessed," and to have a cross on its back ever since our Saviour 

 rode on one into Jerusalem. Though the ass was and still is 

 famous in the East, whence the Celts are said to have migrated 

 some two or three thousand years ago, the lapse of time has, it is 

 supposed, served to obliterate mutual memories. 



Sibbald describes the ass as follows, " Asinus domesticus 

 ingenio stolidus, corpore deformis, incessu tardus, animo timidus, 

 capite grande, longis et latis auribus, corpore macileno est ; 

 exiguo eoque vili vivit pabulo, foliis, cardui, stamine et similibus." 

 Not too complimentary certainly. 



The braying of an ass is said to portend rain. Asses' milk 

 is said to be a sovereign remedy for whooping-cough, also laying 

 the patient where the breath of the animal can be inhaled. This 

 latter cure is common to other animals, such as the cow and the 

 sheep. 



In the North it is alleged that a belief existed that all white 

 hats were made from the skin of donkeys, and that the animals 

 were stolen for this purpose. 



Ghoideadh e'n crois o asail. 



He would steal the cross off an ass. Said of a very mean 

 and greedy fellow. 

 Is fhearr deagh chainnt na h-asail no droch fhacal faidh. 



The good speech of the ass is better than the bad word 

 of a prophet (Balaam). 



These are the only Gaelic sayings in which the ass is mentioned 

 — so far, at least, as we can find. 



B 



BADGER. — Breac, breach, brech, broc, brochd ; Gaileag ; 

 Srianach, stiallair, stiallaire, stiall-chu, strianach ; Taghan, tuitean. 



Badgerd, badget, bageard (More), bason, baud, baunsey, 

 bauson, bauston, baustone, bawsin, bawson, bawsond, bawsone, 

 bawstone, biter, boreson, bosen, bouson, broc, brock, brofie, 

 burran ; Caniculus ; Dasse (Caxton) ; Gray, gre, grey, gripper, 



