FIG. 168. ZEBRA. 



336 FAMILY EQUID^ ; ZEBRA, QUAGGA, FOSSIL HORSES. 



native of Southern Africa, two species are known ; one of which 

 is an inhabitant of the mountains, and the other of the plains. 



They are both very 

 handsome and swift- 

 footed animals ; but are 

 not easily tamed, their 

 temper resembling that 

 of the last-named species. 

 They live in troops ; 

 and, from the boldness 

 of their markings, they 

 present a very brilliant 

 appearance when flying 

 before the hunter. The 

 Quagga is an animal of 

 the same country with 

 the Zebras, and resembles 



them in habits ; but it is far inferior in size and beauty. Its 

 colours are dull, and its stripes less distinct. The skeletons of 

 all these animals so nearly resemble one another, that they can- 

 not be distinguished by the comparison of a few bones ; so that 

 even Cuvier was at fault in determining them. This circum- 

 stance prevents any certainty from being attained, as to the 

 relationship between the fossil remains, which have been found 

 abundantly in the newer tertiary strata, and the species now 

 existing. By some it has been supposed that the original 

 stock of our domesticated race is to be traced among these 

 remains. At any rate it is certain, that very numerous animals 

 of the Horse tribe must have formerly peopled Britain, as well 

 as the continent of Europe ; roaming over its pastures, and pro- 

 bably climbing its hill-sides, when its forests were tenanted by 

 the gigantic Elephant, its jungles by enormous Tigers, its marshes 

 by the massive Rhinoceros, its caves by the savage Hyaena, and 

 its rivers and lakes by the unwieldy Hippopotamus. 



302. We have now considered the groups usually arranged 

 under the order Pachydermata ; and it might seem that the 

 space between these and the "Whale-like animals destitute of 



