ANIMALS. 513 



belly, tvvo-lhirds of its length. There is a line of separation 

 Detween the trunk of the body and the hinder quarters, on each 

 side : behind which, on the rump, is a plat of narrow stripes, 

 joined together by a stripe down the middle, to the end of the 

 tail. The colours are different in the female ; and in none the 

 stripes seem entirely to agree in form, but in all they are equallj 

 distinct ; the smooth hair equally and fine ; the white shining and 

 unmixed ; and the black, or brown, thick and lustrous. 



Such is the beauty of this creature, that it seems by nature 

 fitted to satisfy the pride and the pleasure of man : and formed 

 to be taken into his service. Hitherto, however, it appears to 

 iiave disdained servitude ; and neither force nor kindness have 

 been able to wean it from its native independence and ferocity, 

 lint this wildness might, perhaps, in time be surmounted : and 

 It is probable the horse and the ass, when first taken from 

 the forest, were equally obstinate, fierce, and unmansige- 

 able. Mr BufFon informs us, that the zebra, from which he 

 took his description, could never be entirely mastered, notwith- 

 standing all the efforts which were tried to tame it. They conti- 

 nued, indeed, to mount it, but then with such precautions as evi- 

 dently showed its fierceness, for two men were obliged to hold 

 the reins, while the third ventured upon its back ; and even then 

 it attempted to kick, whenever it perceived any person approach- 

 ing. That which is now in the Queen's menagerie at Buck- 

 ingham-Gate, is even more vicious than the former ; and the 

 keeper who shows it takes care to inform the spectators of its 

 ungovernable nature. Upon my attempting to approach it, it 

 seemed quite tenified, and was preparing to kick, appearing as 

 wild as if just caught, although taken extremely young, and used 

 with the utmost indulgence. Yet still it is most probable that 

 this animal, by time and assiduity, could be brought under sub- 

 jection. As it resembles the horse in form, without all doubt 

 it has a similitude of nature, and only requires the efforts of an 

 industrious and skilful nation, to be added to the number of our 

 domestics. It is not now known what were the pains and dan- 

 gers which were first undergone to reclaim the breed of horses 

 from savage ferocity ; these, no doubt, made an equal opposition ; 

 but by being opposed by an industrious and enterprising race 

 of mankind, their spirit was at last subdued, and their freedom 

 restrained. It is otherwise with regard to the zebra ; it is the na- 



