46 THE ASS. 



Olearius relates that the monarch of Persia invited him, 

 on a certain day, to be present at an entertainment of a 

 very peculiar nature, which was exhibited in a small 

 building near the palace, resembling 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 arrows, and in 

 which he was imitated by some of the rest of his atten- 

 dants. The asses, finding themselves wounded, and no 



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 ASS, 



Like the horse, was originally imported into America 

 by the Spaniards, and afterwards by other nations. That 

 country seems to have been peculiarly favourable to 

 this race of animals ; and, where they have run wild, they 

 have multiplied in sueh numbers, that in some places they 

 are become a nuisance. In the kingdom of Quito, the 

 owners of the ground where they are bred, suffer all per- 

 sons to take away as many as they can, on paying a small 

 acknowledgment, in proportion to the number of days 

 their sport lasts. They catch them in the following man- 

 ner : A number of persons go on horseback, and are 

 attended by Indians on foot : when arrived at the proper 

 places, they form a circle in order to drive them into 

 some valley : where, at full speed, they throw the noose, 

 and endeavour to halter them. Those creatures, finding 

 themselves inclosed, make very furious efforts to escape ; 

 and, if only one forces his way through, they all follow 

 with an irresistible impetuosity. However, when noosed, 

 the hunters throw them down and secure them with fetters, 

 and thus leave them till the chase is over. Then, in order 

 to bring them away with greater facility, they pair them 

 with tame beasts of the same kind ; but this is not easily 

 performed, for they are so remarkably fierce, that they 

 often hurt the persons who undertake to manage them. 

 They have all the swiftness of horses, and neither hills nor 

 precipices can retard their career. When attacked, they 



