0(S6 HISTOUY' OF 



For this reason, very little care has been taken to improve the 

 breed ; it is suffered to degenerate ; and it is probable, that of 

 all other animals this alone is rendered feebier and more diminu- 

 tive, by being in a state of domestic servitude. The horse, the 

 cow, and the sheep, are rendered larger by the assiduity of man ; 

 the ass is suffered to dwindle every generation, and particularly 

 in England, where it is probable that, but for the medicinal 

 qualities of its milk, the whole species would have ere now been 

 extinguished. Nevertheless, we have good reasons to believe 

 that, were the same care bestowed on the ass that is spent upon 

 the horse, were the same industry used in crossing the breed and 

 improving it, we should see the ass become, from his present 

 mean state, a very portly and serviceable animal ; we should find 

 him rival the horse in some of his perfections, and exceed him 

 in others. The ass, bulk for bulk, is stronger than the horse ; 

 is more sure-footed ; and though more slow in his motions, he 

 is much less apt to start out of the way. 



The Spaniards, of all people in Europe, seem alone to be ac- 

 quainted with the value of the ass. They take all proper pre- 

 cautions to improve the breed ; and I have seen a jackass, from 

 that country, above fifteen hands high. This animal, however, 

 Beams originally a native of Arabia. A warm climate is known 

 to produce the largest and the best ; their size and spirit decline 

 in proportion as they advance into colder regions. 



sert and barren tracts, but also, with her milk, contribute to the support ol 

 her master. Jair, tlie Gileadite, one of the judges of Israel, had thirty sons, 

 who rode on thirty ass colts. Anah, the Horite prince, did not thinlc it de- 

 rogatory to his rank, to feed the asses of Zibeon, his father. In ancient 

 times, the ass was used for drawing chariots ; for, when Isaiah predicted the 

 fall of Babylon, he describes the watchman as seeing " a chariot \vith s 

 couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels." Herodotus 

 Bays, the Indians had war chariots drawn by wild asses. 



The Jews considered the ass as an unclean animal, because his hoof was 

 not cloven, and he did not chew the cud ; therefore refrained from eating his 

 flesh, and ottering him as a sacrifice. But we find that, in cases of want, these 

 laws were disregarded ; for, when Samaria was besieged by the .Syrians, 

 ■' an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver." '1 he contempt of the 

 Jews for this beast did not cease with his existence ; for, unlike other ani~ 

 mals, which, when they died, were buried under ground, he was thrown 

 into the fields or ditches, to be eaten by wild beasts or birds. Such also was 

 the burial of their criminals, or those they wished to treat with ignominy ; 

 Jehoiakim, king of Judali, was doomed to be thus treated, — " He shall be 

 buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates ot 

 Jerusalem." 



