116 MULES AND MULE BREEDING. 



mule rearers in the States, and the omission of those 

 points that have previously been discussed in this volume. 

 The article is entitled as follows : 



"THE MULE. 

 "By J. L. Jones, Columbia, Tennessee. 



"There are two kmds or classes of the mule, viz., one the 

 produce of the male ass or jack and the mare ; and the other, 

 the offspring of the stallion and female ass. The cross between 

 the jack and the mare is properly called the mule, while the 

 other, the produce of the stallion and female ass, is designated 

 a hinny. The mule is the more valuable animal of the two, 

 having more size, style, finish, bone, and, in fact, all the 

 requisites which make that animal so much prized as a useful 

 burden-bearing animal. The hinny is small in size, and is 

 wanting in the qualities requisite to a great draught animal. 

 This hybrid is supposed not to breed, as no instance is known to 

 us in which a stallion mule has been prolific, although he seems 

 to be physically perfect, and shows great fondness for the female, 

 and serves readily. There are instances on record where the 

 female has produced a foal, but these are rare.* 



" The mule partakes of the several characteristics of both its 

 parents, having the head, ear, foot, and bone of the jack, while 

 in height and body it follows the mare. It has the voice of 

 neither, but is between the two, and more nearly resembles the 

 jack. It possesses the patience, endurance, and sure-footedness 

 of the jack, and the vigour, strength, and courage of the horse. 

 It is easily kept, very hardy, and no path is too precipitous or 

 mountain trail too difficult for one of them with its burden. 

 The mule enjoys comparative immunity from disease, and lives 

 to a comparatively great age. The writer knows of a mule in 

 Middle Tennessee that, when young, was a beautiful dapj^le 

 gray, but is now thirty years old, and is as white as snow. This 



* These are probably examples of induced lactation as described in 

 Chapter XII. 



