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THE ZEBRA. 415 



numbers could not be estimated at less than 15,000, a great 

 extent of country being actually chequered black and white 

 with their congregated masses. 



The Douw, or Burchell's Zebra, differs little from the com- 

 mon quagga in point of shape or size ; but while the latter is 

 faintly striped only on the head and neck, the former is 

 adorned over every part of the body with broad black bands, 

 beautifully contrasting with a pale yellow ground. 



Major Harris, who had so many opportunities of seeing this 

 fine species in a state of nature, remarks that — 'Beautifully 

 clad by the hand of nature, possessing much of the graceful 

 symmetry of the horse, with great bones and muscular power, 

 united to easy and stylish action, thus combining comeliness of 

 figure with solidity of form, this species, if subjugated and 

 domesticated, would assuredly make the best pony in the world. • 

 Although it admits of being tamed to a certain extent with the 

 greatest facility — a half-domesticated specimen, with a jockey 

 on its brindled back, being occasionally exposed in Cape Town 

 for sale — it has hitherto contrived to evade the yoke of servi- 

 tude. The senses of sight, hearing, and smell are extremely 

 delicate. The slightest noise or motion, no less than the 

 [appearance of any object that is unfamiliar, at once rivets 

 their gaze, and causes them to stop and listen with the utmost 

 attention ; any taint in the air equally attracting their 

 olfactory organs. 



' Instinct having taught these beautiful animals that in union 

 consists their strength, they combine in a compact body wlien 

 menaced by an attack, either from man or beast ; and, if over- 

 'taken by the foe, they unite for mutual defence, with their 

 [heads together in a close circular band 

 presenting their heels to the enemy, and ^^^^^^ 



dealing out kicks in equal force and .^m»^ ^Jj^ ^'^ 



abundance. Beset on all sides, or parti- /^^^i|||\^^| 

 ally crippled, they rear on their hind / jp^^^^'^^p*^^ 

 legs, fly at their adversary with jaws y'^j'k'-^yt^'^^^Jt- --^ 

 distended, and use both teeth and heels - ''"''^'^^'•'-''- — 



ZKBRA. 



with the greatest freedom. 



Whilst the douw and the quagga roam over the plains, the 

 Zebra inhabits mormtainous regions only. The beauty of 

 its light symmetrical form is enhanced by the narrow black 



