GENERA OF SOLIDUNGTJL^. 291 



brown colour all over the body, except the belly and legs, which are 

 white. His mane is short, and his tail garnished only with a tuft 

 of hairs at the extremity. The species is Asiatic, and appears to 

 have originated in India, whence it spread westward into Asia 

 Minor, and northward into the Steppes which stretch to the base of 

 the Himalayas. The modern names are Koulem, Kiang, and Dzig- 

 gethai (or "Mountain Ass"). He roams in great troops across the 

 dreary Asiatic deserts, and is fond of bitter and saline herbage, and 

 brackish water. Now, as of old, he has " the range of the mountains 

 for his pasture," and the "salt places" for his dwelling. His swift- 

 ness and wariness render his chase an exciting pastime, and in Persia 

 he is considered the noblest of game. 



The Hemippus ("half horse"), a species closely allied to the 

 Hemionus, is a native of the fertile districts of Syria and Arabia. 

 Another species, the Tarpan, roams the Steppes of Tartary, and is 

 with great difficulty tamed to the use of man. He is of a reddish 

 colour, but the mane and tail are black, and along the back runs a 

 black stripe. The Onagra, Onager, or Wild Ass of Tartary, is 

 represented in Abyssinia by a smaller variety, of very graceful form, 

 whose hide exhibits already, upon the legs, some of those well-defined 

 stripes which so magnificently adorn the "outer vestment" of the 

 Quagga, the Daw, and, especially, the Zebra. 



All these Solidungulse are identical in habits and character : 

 social among themselves, they are fierce and mistrustful towards 

 other animals. When in peril, they seek safety at first by rapid 

 flight ; but if driven to bay, they assume a courageous bearing, 

 assail their enemies intrepidly, and frequently compel them to retreat. 

 It is even asserted that the Quagga (Asinus Quagga) will mingle 

 with herds of domestic animals, and defend them against the attacks 

 of beasts of prey. According to Dr. Gray, this animal derives his 

 name from his voice, which resembles the barking of a dog, or a 

 sound like Couagg, or Quag. Pennant calls him the Quacha. He 

 resembles the horse in his haughty bearing and rapid movements. 

 His head, neck, mane, and shoulders are blackish-brown, banded with 



