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THE DZIGGETAI, OR KOULAN. 



The cross-breed between the horse and the ass, which is commonly known by the 

 name of the MULE, is a very valuable animal for certain purposes, possessing the 

 strength and power of the horse, with the hardiness and sure foot of the ass. The 

 largest and most useful Mules are those which are produced by a male ass and a mare, 

 the large Spanish Ass being the best for this purpose. In Spain and in many eastern 

 countries the Mule is an animal of some importance, the parents being selected as 

 carefully as those of the horse itself. The chief drawback in the rearing of this 

 animal is that it is unproductive, and is incapable of continuing its species, so that 

 there can be no definite breed of Mules, as of horses and asses. 



o** 



DZIQQETAI, OR KOULAN. -A 's/aws O'nagor, 



THE WILD Asses are all celebrated for their extreme fleetness and sureness of foot, 

 and among them the DZIGGETAI, KHUR, or KOULAN deserves especial mention. 



This animal is so wonderfully swift that it cannot be overtaken even by a fleet 

 Arabian horse, and if it can get upon hilly or rocky ground, it bids defiance to all 

 wingless enemies. Not even the greyhound can follow it with any hope of success when 

 it once leaves level ground. This great speed renders it a favorite object of chase with 

 the natives of the countries which it inhabits ; and whether in Persia or India, it is held to 

 be the noblest of game. Sometimes the falcon is trained to aid in the chase of the Wild 

 Ass, but the usual method of securing this animal is to drive it towards rocky ground, 

 and to kill it with a rifle bullet as it stands in fancied security upon some lofty crag. 



It lives in troops, descending to the plains during the winter months, and returning 

 to the cooler hills as soon as the summer begins to be unpleasantly warm. It is very 

 common in Mesopotamia, and is always a most shy and wary, as well as swift animal, 



