THE AFRICAN WILD ASS. 15 



for 1892 this hytrid is described as a fine animal, wMcli 

 resembles its male parent ratber tban tbe motber. Since 

 tben tbe female African ass bas produced otber foals, 

 tbe male parent being in all cases an African of tbe 

 usual grey colour and dark sboulder stripe common to tbe 

 species. Tbese foals were born respectively in 1889, 1891, 

 and tbe last on October 13tb, 1892. Tbe latter offers a 

 striking example of variation from tbe usual markings and 

 colour of tbe species to wbicb it belongs. It is of a reddish 

 fawn colour, somewbat sbaggy in coat, and is remarkably 

 distinguisbed by a large star on tbe forebead and a wbite 

 blaze down tbe face, sucb as is rarely, if ever, seen in any 

 species of ass, wild or domesticated. Tbere is tbe sligbtest, 

 possible indication of stripes on tbe legs and of tbe 

 sboulder stripe, and tbe ears are sborter tban tbose of tbe 

 parents. It bas passed into tbe possession of Mr. A. J. 

 S cott, of Eotberfield Park, Alton, Hants, and is remarkably 

 tame and sociable. 



Now, tbe question tbat presents itself is wbetber tbis is 

 an accidental variation, sucb as occurs from time to time 

 in almost all animals, especially tbose in confinement or 

 domestication, or wbetber it is an instance of tbe influence 

 of a previous impregnation, and tbat tbe animal bas 

 reverted to tbe characters of tbe Hemippe, wbicb was tbe 

 parent of tbe first foal produced by tbe female. 



Tbe influence of tbe first sire on all subsequent offspring 

 is a subject of very considerable importance tbat bas not 

 received tbe scientific investigation tbat it merits. It is 

 generally accepted by breeders of dogs, and in tbe case of 

 valuable animals tbe effect of a mesalliance is carefully 

 guarded against. It is one tbat is recognised by physio- 

 logists as affecting the human species, and the example 

 of tbe striped foals tbat were always bred by a mare 



