NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Egyptian asses. 



Sonnini informs us, that in the principal streets 

 of Grand Cairo, asses are kept ready bridled and 

 saddled for hire, and answer the purposes of hack- 

 ney-coaches in London. The person who leti 

 them accompanies his ass, running behind to 

 goad him on, and to cry out to those on foot to 

 clear the way. Tjiey are regularly rubbed down. 

 and washed ; which renders their coat smooth, 

 sleek, and glossy. Their food is the same as 

 that of the horses, usually consisting of chopped 

 straw, barley, and small beans. " Here," says 

 M. Denon, they seem to enjoy the plenitude of 

 their existence : they are healthy, active, cheer- 

 ful, and the mildest and safest animals that a per- 

 son can possibly have. The natural pace is a 

 canter or gallop, and without fatiguing his rider, 

 the ass will carry him rapidly over the large 

 plains which lie between different parts of this 

 straggling city." 



As these animals are more hardy than horses, 

 they are generally used by the Mahometan pil- 

 grims in the long and laborious journey to 

 Mecca ; and the chiefs of the Nubian caravans, 

 which are sixty days in passing immense soli- 

 tudes, ride upon asses, that on their arrival in 

 Egypt do not appear fatigued. When the rider 

 alights, he has no occasion to fasten his ass; he 

 merely pulls the rein of the bridle tight, and 

 passes it over a ring on the fore-part of the sad- 

 dle: this confines tlie animal's head, and is suffi- 

 cient to make him, remain quietly in his place. 

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