CHAPTEE XIT. 



THE POITOU ASS AS A SIRE OF MULES. 



The breeding of mules is one of the most curious and 

 interesting, as well as most lucrative, local occupations of 

 France. It is so purely local that perhaps not more than 

 one out of every six Frenchmen is even aware of its 

 existence, or at all events of the magnitude of the trans- 

 actions connected with it. Poitou is a part of France 

 little frequented by tourists, French or English, and 

 consequently little is known of its productions. During- 

 the time the winter fairs are being held the country is 

 overrun by dealers — French, Spanish, and Italian, &c., 

 who attend the fairs, and buy strings of mules to take 

 home to their respective countries. 



The Poitou ass is supposed to have been originally 

 of Spanish extraction. He differs, however, very con- 

 siderably in outward appearance from his Spanish pro- 

 genitor — a difference brought about chiefly by selection 

 and careful breeding. His head and ears are enormous, 

 and the larger they are the more valuable is the animal 

 considered by the breeders. His ears are often so enor- 

 mous that he is unable to carry them in an upright 

 position. They are then carried horizontally, like those 

 of an oar-lopped rabbit, giving the animal a most extra- 

 ordinary appearance when viewed from the front. The 



