ANIMALS. 409 



was only a Iiurse degenerated : however, they are perfectly dis- 

 tinct, and there is an inseparable line drawn between them, for 

 the nude tliey produce is barren. This seems to be the barriei 

 between every species of animals ; this keeps them asunder, and 

 preserves the unities of their form. If the mule, or the mon- 

 ster, bred between two animals, whose form nearly approaches, 

 is no longer fertile, we may then conclude, that these animals, 

 however resembling, are of different kinds. Nature has pro- 

 vidently stopped the fruitfulness of these ill-formed productions 

 in order to preserve the form of every animal uncontaminated : 

 were it not for this, the races would quickly be mixed with each 

 other ; no one kind would preserve its original perfection ; every 

 creature would quickly degenerate ; and the world would be 

 stocked with imperfection and deformity. 



The horse and the ass, therefore, though so nearly approaching 

 in form, are of two distinct kinds different in their natures ; 

 and were there but one of each kind, both races would then be 

 extinguished. Their shapes and their habits may, indeed, be very 

 nearly alike ; but there is something in every animal, besides its 

 conformation or way of life, that determines its specific nature. 



lioth the nose and ears, a cushioned roller, large enough to keep the 

 .'liws extended, is then placed in the mouth ; which done, the teeth of the 

 under jaiv are somewhat reduced in their length (according to their growth,) 

 ly the fricUon of a blacksmith's cutting-file : an engraver's tool is then em- 

 ployed in taking as much from tlie surface of each tooth as will leave a con- 

 spicuous cavity in the middle : this cavity (or rather every individual cavity) 

 is then burned black tvith an iron instrument red hot, and adapted to the 

 purpose ; a composition of cement is then insinuated, so well prepared in 

 both colour and consistence, that it is frequently not discoverable (at least Uf 

 blight observers,) for many montlis after its introduction. 



f 'J'he head of the ass is large i>nd thick ; the ears very long ; the mane 

 short and erect, with a dark brown stripe from the shoulders to the inser- 

 tion of the tail, which is thick, covered with short hairs, and stunted to- 

 wards its end. A dark stripe extends from the top of the withers to the in. 

 sertion of the thigh, on each shoulder : the whole animal is covered with 

 ihickset woolly like hair. His general colour is ash-coloured brown ; some- 

 times chestnut .: very dark brown, approaching to black ; and sometimes, 

 though rarely, white. 



The ass is three or foiu- years in coming to perfection, but will propagate 

 when two years old, and will continue to do so till about twenty-five years 

 of age J jElian says till thirty; alluding, probably, to those in ea.-, tern cli- 

 mates. The female goes with young above eleven months, and rarely bring.i 

 forth more than one at a time. This animal seldom lies down to rest, unless 

 extremely fatigued ; he bleeps standiug, and requires much leas repoae Ihau 

 the horBl^ 



