NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Descending the Alps, or Andes. 



danger, by the caution they use. When they 

 Come to the edge of one of the descents, they 

 stop of themselves, without being checked by 

 the rider ; and if he inadvertently attempt to spur 

 them on, they continue immoveable, as if rumi- 

 nating on the danger that lies before them, and 

 preparing for the encounter: for they not only 

 attentively view the road, but tremble and snort 

 at the danger. Having at length prepared fot 

 the descent, they place their forefeet in a pos- 

 ture as if they were stopping themselves ; they 

 then also put their hinder feet together, but a 

 little forward, as if they were about to lie down. 

 In this attitude, having taken a survey of the 

 road, they slide down with the swiftness of a me- 

 teor. In the mean time all that the rider has to 

 do is to keep himself fast on the saddle, without 

 checking the rein, for the least motion is suffici- 

 ent to destroy the equilibrium of the ass, in 

 which case both must inevitably perish. But 

 their address in this rapid descent is truly won- 

 derful; for, in their swiftest motion, when they 

 seem to have lost all government of themselves, 

 they follow the different windings of the road 

 with as great exactness as if they had previously 

 determined on the route they were to follow, and 

 taken every precaution for their safety. In this 

 iourney, the natives, who are placed along th 

 sides of the mountains, and hold themselves by 

 the roots of the trees, animate the animals with 

 shouts, and encourage them to perseverance. 



