112 



THE WILD ASS. 



man's wealth is estimated by the quantity he is able to 

 supply. 



Next to the horse we naturally place the Ass, which 

 also, on the boundless steppes, enjoys a life of liberty. 



His swiftness is so great that he cannot be overtaken 

 even by the swiftest Arab, and on rocky ground he defies 

 pursuit. Not even the greyhound can successfully pursue 



WILD ASS. 



him when he gets clear of the level country. Hence he is a 

 favourite object of chase with the hunter, who endeavours 

 to drive him among the mountains, and bring him down 

 with a well-aimed bullet when he stands in fancied security 

 on some rocky crag. 



The Onager is a handsomer animal than the tarpan, or 



