22 THE ZEBRA. 



would destroy his equilibrium, and both would be hurl- 

 ed into an unfathomable abyss. 



THE ZEBRA. 



There are but three animals of the horse kind : — 

 the Horse, which is the most stately and courageous ; 

 the Ass, which is the most patient and humble ; and the 

 Zebra, which is the most beautiful, though the wildest 

 animal in nature. Nothing can exceed the delicate re- 

 gularity of its colour, nor can any thing surpass the 

 smoothness of its skin; it is at once timid and untame- 

 able, and appears to have a natural antipathy to man. 

 It is chiefly a native of the southern parts of Africa, and 

 herds may be seen feeding near the Cape of Good Hope. 



The zebra, in shape, bears a resemblance to the mule, 

 for it is smaller than the horse, and larger than the ass ; 

 but at present this animal is chiefly prized for the asto- 

 nishing beauty and delicacy of its skin. The male 

 zebra is adorned with stripes of brown and white, with 

 such exact similitude of distance, that it appears the 

 work of art, though probably it would puzzle the most 

 perfect artist if he was required to draw such regular 

 lines : the female zebra is no less beautiful, only that 

 the stripes are alternately black and white ; and this re- 

 gular intermixture not only marks the body, but dis- 

 plays itself on the head, the limbs, and the tail. 



Hitherto this creature has disdained the power of 

 man, for neither force or kindness have been able to 

 make it tame, and whether it may ever submit to his 

 dominion is a matter which admits both of doubt and 

 dispute. -As in form it bears a resemblance to the 

 horse, its nature may probably be the same ; if so, 

 under wise and judicious care, the wiklness of its dispo- 

 sition might doubtless be restrained. 



