464 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



ought. Brute strength should have no proportion in es- 

 teem, in comparison of intellectual power. 



Of all that relates to reproduction, fyc. it is unneces- 

 sary to speak. The discordant bray of the Ass is too well 

 known : that of the male is louder and more horrible than 

 that of the female. 



This species was not known in more Northern Europe, 

 in the time of Aristotle. In proportion as our marshes were 

 dried, our forests cleared, and our climate became milder 

 it became established among us. The Greeks possessed fine 

 races, which passed from them into Italy. Some are found 

 even in Sweden at the present day ; a proof how much the 

 constitution of the animal may be modified by gentle and 

 insensible gradations. The Ass has been transported into 

 America, where it has met with the same scurvy usage as 

 in Europe. 



The Couagga, {Equus Quagga. Gm.) For essential cha- 

 racters, see text, 



This species reminds us of the forms and proportions of 

 the Horse, by the lightness of its figure, and the smallness 

 of its head and ears, Hit it has the tail of the Ass. Its 

 height to the withers is about four feet. The colour on the 

 head and neck is a deep blackish-brown ; the rest is of a 

 clear brown, growing paler below, and underneath a pretty 

 white. The head and neck are striped with a grayish 

 white; they are longitudinal on the forehead and temples, 

 transversal on the cheeks ; between the eyes and mouth they 

 form triangles ; there are ten bands on the neck, the mane 

 is blackish ; there is a black line along the spine descend- 

 ing to the tail. 



The Couaggas go in troops in the more solitary regions 

 of Southern Africa, often more than one hundred in number ; 

 they never mix with their congeners the Zebras. Their 

 cry resembles very much the barking of a dog ; they are easily 

 tamed, and rendered subservient to domestic uses : and in 



