THE ASIATIC WILD ASS. 27 



miles ; no horse ever died during a chase or from the after 

 effects. 



" Although the Onager's speed is greater than that of a tame 

 donkey, an ordinary 14.2 Arab can gallop them to a standstill, 

 and the fact of the runs being so long was due more to the 

 going than to any special endurance on the part of the wild 

 asses. Pra<-tically, as regards endurance, they are as enduring 

 as a horse in non-galloping condition, though the asses when 

 caught, could hardly be called in galloping condition either. 



"One of the most striking points in connection with these 

 rides is the endurance shown by the horses used in caj)turing 

 the wild asses ; in fact, more wonderful than the endurance of 

 the asses, who were on the ground they live on, whereas neither 

 food nor water could be obtained for the horses, riders even 

 having to carry their own drinking water. On one occasion 

 horses were out without food or water from 7 a.m. one morning 

 to 4 a.m. the next. 



" Some twenty wild asses, big and small, were captured in 

 these rides. When captured the wild asses were extremely 

 vicious, bit and kicked, and it was found necessary to rope 

 them before they could be led away. The statement that no 

 varieties of the Asiatic wild ass have ever been domesticated 

 would be deprived of some of its effect could your readers see 

 the wild asses in the paddocks at Morvi. 



'• Though some of the captures remained excessively vicious, 

 others became quite tame, and were ridden and driven just 

 like tame donkeys. The young ones are as tame as dogs, and 

 extremely fond of being fondled and played with. 



" Those in the paddock at Morvi were exceedingly inquisitive, 

 and had to be kept back while a photograph was taken, as 

 nothing would satisfy them until they could sniff round the 

 camera and see what the seemingly diabolical instrument was. 



" A photograph, the only one of a batch of four taken which 

 turned out passably (though the gentleman in the solah tope 

 is meant to be a European), is herewith sent in proof of what 

 may be done with them, and in it may be observed the in- 

 quisitiveness of the animals, a youngster, in his eagerness to 



