MULES. 107 



style him, emphatically, the ship of the desert; yet 

 they are of the same species — a cross between them 

 breed and constitute another variety, which multiply, 

 and according to BufFon, have the most vigour, and 

 are preferred to all others. 



Ancient writers recognise three or four distinct 

 varieties of the ass. According to the learned Dr 

 Harris, four different races are indicated in the origi- 

 nal Hebrew scriptures, viz : Para, Chamor, Aton, and 

 Oriid.'^ 



The wild ass {Para) was a native of Arabia, De- 

 serta, and those countries which formed the great 

 Babylonian empire. They are now found in Southern 

 Tartary, in the mountainous districts and saline plains 

 of Persia — are migratory in large herds, visiting in 

 winter the Northern parts of India, and said to be so 

 fleet that no horse can overtake them in the chase. — 

 This race is frequently alluded to by the inspired 

 poets and prophets ; and afford similies diametrically 

 opposite to those drawn from the domestic race. The 

 sublime description of the former in the book of Job, 

 exhibits such a contrast, that I trust its insertion in 

 this place will not be deemed improper. 



*' Who from the forest ass his collar broke, 

 And manumized his shoulders from the yoke ? 

 W^ild tenant of the waste, I sent him there 

 Among the shrubs, to breathe in freedom's air. 



* See the "Natural History of the Bible, by Thaddeus Mason 

 Harris, D. D. 1 vol. 8vo. Wells & Lilly, Boston." A work I woulo 

 earnestly recommend to those readers of the s&cred volume wht 

 are desirous to be better acquainted with many illusions to sub- 

 jects of natural history, founded on their nature, habits, and cha- 

 racteristic qualities, developing beautiful similies, which would 

 otherwise lie concealed — and enabling them to judge more cor 

 rectly of the propriety of such allusions. 



