156 MULES, AND THEIR ADAPTABILITY 



many stupid and senseless prejudices in the 

 management of their stock) formerly imagined 

 that their mares had a special and u.nique 

 capacity for producing good mules — that 

 they were, as they phrased it, interieurement 

 mulassieres ; which was of course pure 

 imagination, since when a superior class 

 of mare from Normandy and Brittany was 

 introduced, the produce, as might he expected, 

 improved proportionately. 



The Poitou Jack, or Baudet, as he is called, 

 said to he of Spanish extraction, used for 

 crossing with these mares, is an animal 

 which would surprise those acquainted only 

 with the English donkey. With shaggy, 

 unkempt coat and heavy head, garnished 

 with enormous ears (often hy reason of their 

 great length carried horizontally like those 

 of an ear-lopped rahhit) he presents an 

 uncouth and extraordinary appearance. More- 

 over, from long confinement in a dark and 

 dirty stable, and waiit of exercise, he is often 



