No. 133.] 255 



Translated by II. Meigs, the secretary. 



Tlie mule is called in Latin, mula ; French, mulet — an animal 

 proJuccd by a lie ass and a mare, or sometimes between a liorse 

 and a slie ass. The term mule is used to indicate any kind of ani- 

 mal produced by mixture of dillerent species. The first is best, 

 that is the issue of the ass and mare, being larger, stronger, and 

 having least of the ass in disposition. The largest and the stoutest 

 asses, and the fairest and finest mares, are selected in Spain, Italy 

 and Flanders. In the latter they liave raised mules of sixteen 

 and some seventeen hands high. Mules are stronger, more sure- 

 footed, go easier, are more cheaply maintained, and last longer 

 than horses. Commonly, mules are vicious, stubborn and obsti- 

 nate to a proverb ; and v\^hether it causes the ill usage they get, 

 or is caused by it, is all the same ; it is not easy to settle it with 

 them, 



The largest sized mules were emploj'ed in armies to carry bag- 

 gage, under the name of sumpter mules ; thi"s employment was 

 due to their superior strength, hardihood and cheap feeding. In 

 the days of Popery, many stately mules were brought by Italian 

 priests from Rome to England ; they have continued since that 

 time to be used less and less, until at last they were chiefly found 

 in the employ of the millers. Tlie mule thrives better in mild 

 rather than in hot climates. 



Honor was done to the ass in ancient days at Lampsaca, where 

 the braying of them saved Vesta from a rape. For this the ass 

 was crowned in the month of June, and is marked in the ancient 

 calendar Festum est Yesta? asinus coronatur, — this is the feast of 

 Vesta, ,the ass is to be crowned, — and ihe saying became Vestse 

 deliciiim est asinus. — an ass is the delight of Vesta, The learned 

 name of the race Equns asinuus. This creature submits firmly to 

 bluws ; he is temperate both as to the quality and quantity of his 

 food ; he will eat rough, disagreeable herbage, which the horse 

 and other animals despise ; bat he is more delicate as to his drink, 

 for he never uses water that is not perfectly pure. As his master 

 never takes the trouble to comb his hair, he will roll himself on 

 the turf among thistles, ferns, &c.,as often as he can get a chance, 

 and he (.loes not care for the load on his back at all, he rolls all. 



