448 THE ZEBRA. 



which have often been confounded together by travellers and 

 compilers, are the quagga (Asinus quagyd), the douw (A. cristatus}, 

 and the zebra (A. Zebra, Linn.) 



The zebra is the mountain species, and is distinguished by 

 its admirably regular stripes extending quite down to the hoofs. 

 Its range extends from the Cape colony to Guinea, Congo, and 

 even to Abyssinia, according to Ludolff. Bruce says, that in 

 the latter country, it is only found in the south-west extremity 

 of Kuora, amid the Shangalla, and Galla, in Nerea, and, Caff, 

 and in the mountains of Dyre and Tegla, and thence to the 

 southward. 



Its habits in a state of nature appear to be similar to those 

 of the wild ass. 



In confinement it will breed with the domestic ass. The 

 zebra has not been generally tamed, but it is not improbable 

 that, by perseverance and proper treatment, this magnificent 

 creature would become as tame and tractable as any of our 

 beasts of burden. Two or three zebras which were broken in 

 by the celebrated equestrian Ducrow, are said to have entirely 

 lost their spirit and vivacity, and to have assumed the humble 

 bearing of the common donkey. Some mules between the zebra 

 and the common ass, and others between the latter and the 

 douw, have been bred at the Regent's Park Zoological Society, 

 and they are occasionally employed to draw the Society's pro- 

 vision carts through the streets. 



The flesh of the zebra is eaten by the Hottentots. 



