48 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



the very early ages, the original stock from which he is 

 derived is unknown ; for even what they term Wild horses 

 are believed to be descendants of animals which have 

 been domesticated in former times, and which have 

 subsequently become free. The Horse has its tail covered 

 with long flowing hair quite up to its origin, which is one 

 of the leading features which distinguish it from the other 

 members of the family. 



The Horse, noble and brave in its nature, has followed 

 man into almost every country. Its docility, understand- 

 ing, and affectionate nature have made it truly the friend 

 of man, for whom it labours with all its strength, even 

 until it dies under its burden. 



The Ass (Fig. 16) is smaller than the Horse, and has a 

 tuft of hair at the end of its tail. It seems to have been 

 devoted to the domestic service of man before the Horse 

 which was employed in early times more for military pur- 

 poses and even at this day it is so used in some parts of 

 the East, whilst the Ass is mostly employed in civil life. 



The Ass is not naturally the rough-looking creature 

 which we see harnessed in some of the carts about the 

 streets of London. When treated with care and kindness, 

 when properly fed and rubbed down, his appearance, and 

 even his manners, are quite different. He cannot help that 

 he is not a horse. He is always willing, quiet, and 

 patient, and is it not cruel, nay, absolutely wicked to beat 

 and ill-use him? How often do we see three or four 

 persons get into the cart in which the poor donkey first 

 fetched the stuff from market in the early morning, and 

 has then dragged about all day ? And not content with 

 thus overloading and overworking the poor animal, they 

 beat it and jerk the rein so as to inflict the greatest pain. 

 But this is in most cases the conduct of ignorant men 

 of those who have never been taught the wonderful con- 

 struction of animals, or to reflect on the wisdom and 



