HORSE AND ZEBRA HYBRIDS. 673 



Sanson tells iis that the heavy draught Poitou mule, 

 which is the offspring of the Poitou ass (p. 652) and the 

 French cart mare, is often 17 hands high and weighs 

 700 kilogrammes (1,540 lbs.) ; and that he is an admirable 

 heavy draught animal. These mules are frequently sold 

 for from /40 to ;/^ioo a-piece. It is a matter of deep regret 

 that the great utility of mules is practically ignored in 

 our country, where the majority of the few mules (Fig. 

 631) produced, are very small, and are usually bred from 

 comparatively worthless parents. 



Horse and Zebra Hybrids (Figs. 632 and 633). 

 — Like mules and hinnies, these hybrids vary greatly 

 in their resemblance to their parents. Thus, the animal 

 in Fig. 632 is like its sire ; and^^that in_^Fig. 633, is like 

 its dam. Since the end of the eighteenth century many 

 hybrids of this kind have been bred, and of late years, 

 Professor Ewart has taken a very prominent part in 

 bringing this important industry before the public. He 

 tells us that " there is every reason for supposing hybrids, 

 between the large Somali zebra and the horse, would 

 be as easily managed as ordinary mules, and for believing 

 that in India and Africa they would be in every way 

 more useful." Grevy's (Somahland) zebra is much more 

 powerful and active than the ordinary donkey, and his 

 adaptability to draught, pack work, or saddle could be 

 immensely improved by judicious selection in breeding. 



