THE ASS. 31 



called Havoth-jair. Judges x. 3, 4. A similar instance 

 is also recorded, ch. xii. 13, 14. In several passages 

 a particular kind of the domestic ass is spoken of, whose 

 value appears greatly to have exceeded that of others. 



The eastern husbandman was greatly indebted to 

 this animal. The ox and the ass laboured together 

 in the cultivation of the same field. Such is the refer- 

 ence of Isaiah, when he says, " The oxen likewise and 

 the young asses that ear " (or till) " the ground shall eat 

 clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the 

 shovel and with the fan." Isa. xxx. 24. He thus fore- 

 tells a season of great plenty, when the cattle shall be 

 fed with corn better in quality, and separated from the 

 chaif, so that it might be rendered more grateful to their 

 taste. 



These animals have been, and are still, used in many 

 other services. From their being more hardy than 

 horses, they are preferred for journeys across the deserts 

 of Asia. Asses are used by most of the Mussulman 

 pilgrims in their long and laborious journeys to Mecca. 

 They stand in the principal streets of Cairo ready 

 saddled for hire, and answer the same purposes as 

 hackney coaches or cabriolets in London. The owner 

 accompanies the ass, and running behind, goads it on. 



The ass has shown itself, in some instances, capable 



