>96 



THE ZEBRA. 



on which they occur, so that the stripes of the legs are horizontal, while those of the body are 

 vertical. The abdomen and inside faces of the thighs are cream-white, and the end of the 

 tail is nearly black. This arrangement of coloring is strangely similar to that of the tiger, and 

 has earned for the animal the name of "Hippotigris," or Horse-tiger, among some zoologists, 

 ancient and modern. The skin of the neck is developed into a kind of dewlap, and the tail is 

 sparingly covered with coarse black hair. By the Cape colonists it is called " Wilde Paard," 

 or Wild Horse. 



At the best of times the flesh of the Zebra is not very inviting, being rather tough, coarse, 

 and of a very peculiar flavor. The Boers, who call themselves by the title of "baptized men," 

 think they would be derogating from their dignity to partake of the flesh of the Zebra, and 



ZEBRA.— Asinv* zebra. 



generously leave the animal to be consumed by their Hottentot servants. When wounded, 

 the Zebra gives a kind of groan, which is said to resemble that of a dying man. 



In disposition the Zebra is fierce, obstinate, and nearly untamable. The efforts used by 

 Mr. Rarey in reducing to obedience the Zebra of the Zoological Gardens are now matter of 

 history. The little brindled animal gave him more trouble than the huge savages on whom he 

 had so successfully operated, and it overset some of his calculations by the fact that it was 

 able to kick as fiercely from three legs as a horse from four. 



In its habits the Zebra resembles the dziggetai more than the dauw, as it is always found 

 in hilly districts, and inhabits the high craggy mountain ranges in preference to the plains. It 

 is a mild and very timid animal, fleeing instinctively to its mountain home as soon as it is 

 alarmed by the sight of a strange object. 



Between the zebras and the domestic ass several curious Mules have been produced. It 

 is worthy of notice, that wherever a cross breed has taken place, the influence of the male 

 parent seems to be permanently impressed on the mother, who in her siibsequent offspring 

 imprints upon them some characteristic of the interloper. 



