BOOK VI. XXXVII. 4-7 



that begotten by a male ass, though up to a certain 

 point the progeny of a wild ass can be compared to 

 it, except that, being both difficult to train and re- 

 bellious against servitude, it exhibits the wild 

 character and lean condition of its sire. A stallion, 

 therefore, of this kind is more useful for the pro- 

 duction of descendants in the second than in the first 

 generation ; for, when the offspring of a she-ass and a 

 wild ass is put to a mare, the ferocity of the wild 

 animal has been broken down, and any offspring of 

 this union reproduces the form and mild temper of 

 its sire and the strength and quickness of its grand- 

 sire. The progeny conceived and procreated from 5 

 a horse and an ass, though they have derived their 

 name of " hinny " from their sire," show in every 

 respect a greater resemblance to their dam ; it is, 

 therefore, most advantageous to choose a donkey as 

 sire for a race of mules whose appearance, as I have 

 said, is proved by experience to be handsomer. How- 6 

 ever, from the point of view of appearance, it ought not 

 to be approved unless it has an ample stature, a strong 

 neck, robust and broad flanks, a vast and muscular 

 chest, brawny thighs, solid legs and a black or spotted 

 coat ; for a mouse-colour, as it is commonplace in a 

 donkey, is not very suitable in a mule either. We 7 

 must not let the general appearance of this quadruped 

 deceive us if we see that it is such as we approve of; 

 for just as the spots on the tongue and palates of rams 

 are generally found repeated on the fleeces of the 

 lambs which they sire, so if a donkey has different 

 coloured hairs on its eyelids or ears, it often sires 

 an offspring of diverse colouring also ; and this 



" Because their neighing {hinnitus) resembles that of a 

 horse. 



2IQ 



