314 MAMMALIA—ZEBRA. 
THE DZAA@GeE TAI, OR WILD ASS} 
Exuusits in its natural, or wild state, an appearance very far superior, both 
in point of beauty and vivacity, to the horse. It is a native of Asia, living, 
like the rest of this genus, in a gregarious manner. It chiefly occurs in the 
dry and mountainous deserts of Tartary, and in the southern parts of India 
and Persia. It is frequently spoken of as being met with, by travellers in 
Africa; but the quagga, which abounds in Southern Africa, and is somes 
times called the wild ass, has been no doubt confounded with this animal. 
The color of the wild ass is gray, or brownish yellow, with a brown dorsal 
stripe, and one or two bands across the shoulders. 
The food of this animal consists chiefly of saline or bitter plants. It 1s 
also fond of salt or brackish water. The manners of the wild ass resemble 
those of the wild horse. They assemble in troops, under the conduct of a 
leader or sentinel, and are extremely shy and vigilant; and, like the former 
animals, dart off with the utmost rapidity on the sight of mankind. They 
have been at all times celebrated for their swiftness. Their voice resembles 
that of the domestic ass, but is somewhat shriller. From this animal, the 
domestic ass has been gradually derived. 
THE ZEBRA?  * 
Is, perhaps, the handsomest and most elegantly clothed of all quadrupeds. 
He has the shape and graces of the horse, the swiftness of the stag, and 
1 Equus hemionus, Desm. 2 Equus zebra, Lin. 
