THE ASS. 205 



skins, of which that kind of leather is made which 

 is called shagreen. 



Olearius relates, that the monarch of Persia in- 

 vited him on a certain day to be present at an en- 

 tertainment of a very peculiar nature, which was 

 exhibited in a small building near the palace re- 

 sembling a theatre. After a collation of fruits 

 and sweetmeats, more than thirty of these wild 

 asses were driven into the area, among which the 

 monarch discharged several shot, and some ar- 

 rows, and in which he was imitated by some of 

 the rest of his attendants. The asses finding them- 

 selves wounded, and no way of escaping, instant- 

 ly began to attack each other, biting with great 

 fierceness, and braying terribly. In this manner 

 they continued their mutual animosity, while the 

 arrows were poured in from above until they were 

 all killed ; upon which they were ordered to be 

 taken, and sent to the king's kitchen at Ispahan. 

 The Persians esteem the flesh of this animal so 

 highly, that its delicacy is even become a proverb 

 among them. What may be the taste of the wild 

 ass's flesh we are unable to say, but certain it is, 

 that the flesh of the tame ass is the worst that can 

 be obtained, being dryer, more tough, and more 

 disagreeable than horse flesh. Galen even says 

 that it is very unwholesome. Yet we should not 

 judge hastily upon the different tastes of different 

 people, in the preference they give to certain 

 meats. The climate produces very great changes 

 in the tenderness and the savour of several viands : 

 that beef, for instance, which is so juicy and good 

 in England, is extremely tough and dry when 



