36 HISTORY OF 



animal. By this artifice they approach the ostrich, which be- 

 comes an easy prey. He is sometimes also taken by dogs and 

 nets, but the most iisu.il way is that mentioned above. 



When the Arabians have thus taken an ostrich, they cut its 

 throat, and making a ligature below the opening, they shake the 

 bird, as one would rince a barrel ; then taking off the ligature, 

 there runs out from the wound in the throat a considerable 

 quantity of blood, m/xed with the fat of the animal ; and this is 

 considered one of their greatest dainties. They next flay the 

 bird ; and of the skin, which is strong and thick, sometimes 

 make a kind of vest, which answers the purposes of a cuirass 

 and a buckler. 



There are others who, more compassionate or more provident* 

 do not kill their captive, but endeavour to tame it, for the pur- 

 poses of supplying those feathers which are in so great request. 

 The inhabitants of Dara and Lybia breed up whole flocks of 

 them, and they are tamed with very little trouble. But it is not 

 for their feathers alone that they are prized in this domestic 

 state ; they are often ridden upon, and used as horses. ]\Ioore 

 assures us, that at Joar he saw a man travelling upon an ostrich ; 

 and Adanson asserts, that, at the factory of Podore, he had two 

 ostriches, which were then young, the strongest of which ran 

 swifter than the best English racer, although he carried two ne- 

 groes on his back. As soon as the animal perceived that it was 

 loaded, it set off running with all its force, and made several cir- 

 cuits round the village ; till at length the people were obliged to 

 stop it, by barring up the way. How far this strength and 

 swiftness may be useful to mankind, even in a polished state, is 

 a matter that perhaps deserves inquiry. Posterity may avail 

 themselves of this creature's abilities •, and riding upon an ostrich 

 may one day become the favourite, as it most certainly is the 

 swiftest, mode of conveyance. 



The pai-ts of this animal are said to be convertible to many 

 salutary purposes in medicine. The fat is said to be emollient 

 and relaxing ; that while it relaxes the tendons, it fortifies the 

 nervous system ; and being applied to the region of the loins, it 

 abates the pains of the stone in the kidneys. The shell of the 

 egg powdered, and given in proper quantities, is said to be use- 

 ful in promoting urine, and dissolving the stone in the bladder. 

 The substance of the egg itself is thought to be peculiarly i.our- 



