212. MAMMALIA. 



life, renders man, it furnishes him, after death, with a variety 

 of useful substances — such as the skin, the horn of the hoofs, 

 the hair of the mane and tail ; the tendons, from which glue is 

 made, and the bones, which produce animal charcoal. Lastly, we 

 nrust not omit to make mention of the Horse as an article of 

 food. Every one is acquainted with the efforts which, during the 

 last year or two, have been made (and to some extent with success) 

 to introduce horse-flesh for the use of the public. In Paris, and 

 some other cities in France, at the present time, it forms no 

 inconsiderable portion of the nutriment of the poor. Prussia and 

 the north of Europe were the first to set the example in this path 

 of economy. 



The Ass. — The Ass, like the Horse, is the servant and helper 

 of !^^an, but its "domestication is of a much less ancient date. The 

 wild type of this animal, known imder the names of Kiang, 

 Koulan, (Jnager, or Dziggetai (E. Hcmioniis, Gray), is still a 

 native of many of the Asiatic deserts. 



In their periodical migrations they come doAvn as far as 

 the Persian Gulf and Hindostan. To the north, they do not go 

 beyond the fortj^-fifth degree of latitude. They live together in 

 innumerable droves, and travel under the guidance of a leader, 

 whom they obey with intelligent submission. If they chance to 

 be attacked by Wolves, they range themselves in a circle, placing 

 the weak and younger members in the centre, when they defend 

 themselves so courageously with their fore-feet and teeth that 

 they almost invariably come off victorious. The Tartars captm-e 

 them to improve the breed of their domestic Ass, and also to 

 get possession of their skins ; they also eat their flesh, which is 

 considered excellent. 



The Wild Ass is endowed with a sure foot and great swiftness, 

 but it is difficidt to tame. In order to capture them, snares and 

 nets made of cord are placed around the places where they are in 

 the habit of coming to drink. 



Larger than the domestic animal, the Wild Ass has a narrower 

 chest, lighter body, and shorter ears. Its legs are also long, the 

 forehead arched, the head lean, which it carries erect, \i\.e the 

 Horse. The top of the head, the sides of the neck, the flanks, 

 and the croup are of a dun colour, with stripes of dirty white ; 

 the mane is black ; there is a coffee-coloured line along the back, 



