30 ftATl/RALIST's CABINET. 



Mode of taking wild asses. 



The Persians catch them in pits, which they 

 fill about half up with plants : into these the asses 

 fall without bruising themselves, and are taken 

 thence alive. When properly broken and do- 

 mesticated they sell at a high price, being at all 

 times celebrated for their amazing swiftness. 



Asses were first imported into America by the 

 Spaniards : and that country seems to be peculi- 

 arly favourable to the species ; for, where they 

 have run wild, they have multiplied so rapidly, 

 that in some places they have become quite a 

 nuisance. In the kingdom of Quito, the propri- 

 etors of the grounds where they are bred, suffer 

 all persons to take away as many as they can, on 

 paying a small acknowledgment, in proportion 

 to the number of days the sport of hunting 

 lasts. The mode of catching them has been 

 thus described: 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. The creatures, find- 

 ing themselves inclosed, make very furious efforts 

 to escape ; and, if only one force his way through, 

 they all follow with an irresistible impetuosity. 

 However, when noostd, 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 



