460 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



long, but of a smooth and shining appearance in summer. 

 The colour of the body is an uniform light bay, but in 

 winter it partakes more of the red. 



Messerschmit was the first who indicated this animal, 

 but it is to Pallas that we are indebted for its exact descrip- 

 tion. The name, in the language of the Mongoles, signi- 

 fies large ear, and has been given by that people to this 

 animal, whose ears are longer than those of the Horse, but 

 straighter and better formed than the ears of the mule. Its 

 stature is that of a horse of the middle size, and its corn- 

 formation seems like that of the mule, to partake of the 

 Horse and Ass. It is by no means improbable that this 

 is the Wild Mule of the ancients. The head is strong and 

 a little heavy, the forehead flatted and narrow, the chest 

 large, the back long and curved, and the crupper slightly 

 attenuated. The limbs are light, the shoulders narrow, 

 and the hoofs resemble those of the Ass. The mane is short 

 and thick, the tail almost two feet long, and very like that 

 of a cow, both are black. All the proportions of this 

 animal exhibit much elegance and lightness, and its limbs 

 possess the most astonishing suppleness and capacity of 

 speed. It runs literally with the rapidity of lightning, 

 carrying its head erect, and snuffing up the wind. It easily 

 escapes the hunters, for the fleetest courser that ever 

 scoured the desert, would in vain attempt to overtake it 

 Its air is wild and fiery, expressive of its unbounded 

 energy and tameless character. 



Their character is peaceable and social. Their troops 

 are generally twenty or thirty in number, sometimes one 

 hundred. Each has its chief, who watches over its safety, 

 conducts its progress, and in danger gives the signal of 

 flight. This signal consists in leaping three times in a circle 

 round the object which inspires fear. If the chief is slain, 

 which will sometimes happen, as he approaches very near 

 the hunters, the troop will disperse, and thus afford greater 

 facility of destruction. The Mongols, the Tungooses, and 



