113 



ASSES AND 



The ass is the inseparable companion of the poorer classes of natives ; to 

 them he is both pack and saddle animal, but is practically never availed of 

 for traction purposes, as is the practice in various parts of Eurrpe. The ass 

 is to be met everywhere in the Regency, both in the cities and in the country, 

 except at times in rough hilly country, the occasional lurking-place of hyenas. 

 These beasts appear to have a particular liking for the flesh of the ass, and 

 the existence of the latter is always more or less precarious wherever the for- 

 mer are to be found. Asses, notwithstanding their insignificant appearance, 

 are probably able to carry heavier loads, proportionately to their weight and 

 size, than any other domesticated beast of burden. It is no uncommon 

 sight on the dusty Tunisian roads, to see a 14 or 15 stone Arab seated rrajesti- 

 cally on a diminutive ass, whilst his wife trudges along in the rear, goading 

 the beast on, or else carrying some of the domestic effects of her lord and 

 master. The average Tunisian ass is a rather small animal, inferior both in 

 size and appearance to the Egyptian or Spanish asses. In the season, however, 

 very superior types of Jacks are to be met with, travelling from market town 

 to market town. The latter, however, are mainly used for the breeding of 

 mules. 



The Tunisian mule is considerably lighter and built on finer lines than the 

 heavy draught mules of southern Europe. It is very freely used by the 

 Arabs for both carriage and saddle purposes- It is the mule, too, that gene- 

 rail} hauls the light carts of the country. The wealthy Arab is very fond of 

 personal display, which he does not disdain to extend to the animals that 

 have the honor to carry him or haul him along. In this connection it is often 

 brought home to one in Tunisia that a well-bred, well-groomed, sleek mule, 

 set off in its gorgeous trappings, is a very showy beast. 



French landowners generally make use of the heavy draught mules of 

 southern Europe for general agricultural purposes in preference to draught 

 horses, which are not readily obtainable in the Regency. They present the 

 additional advantage of being hardier than horses, and less difficult in their 

 food requirements. These beasts are generally drawn from France and Spain, 

 and sometimes from- Algeria. It would appear somewhat anomalous that 

 they should not be bred locally to a greater extent than is the case. 



HORSES. 



The horse of the country is the Barb, or African horse, which is to be found 

 throughout the coastal country of northern Africa. The Barb lacks, perhaps, 

 the perfect symmetry of the pure-bred Arab ; he has not the chest measure- 

 ment nor the breadth of loins of the latter. Taken all round, however, 



