HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 23 



variegated with bands running across the back, 

 and ending in points at the belly; its thighs, its 

 legs, its ears, and even its tail, are all beautifully 

 streaked in the same manner. 



The Zebra inhabits the southern parts of Africa, 

 where whole herds are seen feeding on those ex- 

 tensive plains that lie towards the Cape of Good 

 Hope. However, their watchfulness is such, that 

 they will suffer nothing to come near them ; and 

 their swiftness so great, that they easily leave their 

 pursuers far behind. 



Such is the beauty of this creature, that it seems 

 by nature fitted to gratify the pride, and formed for 

 the service of man ; and it is most probable, that 

 time and assiduity alone are wanting to bring it 

 under subjection. As it resembles the Horse in re- 

 gard to its form, as well as manner of living, there 

 can be little doubt but it possesses a similitude of 

 nature, and only requires the efforts of an industri- 

 ous and skilful nation, to be added to the number 

 of our useful dependents. Nevertheless, its liberty 

 has hitherto remained uncontroled, and its natural 

 fierceness has as yet resisted every attempt to sub- 

 due it : those that have been brought to this coun- 

 try, have discovered a degree of viciousness which 

 rendered it unsafe to approach them too familiarly; 

 but it is by no means to be concluded from hence, 

 that they are untameable. They have continued to 

 be wild, because they are natives of a country 

 where the wretched inhabitants have no other idea 

 of advantage from the animal creation than as they 

 are good for food, paying more regard to that which 

 affords the most delicious repast, than to delicacy 

 of colouring, or beauty of conformation. 



