OEDEE OF PACHYDEEMATA. 217 



acquired a reputation which is become proverbial for foolishness 

 and obstinacy ? Enough praise cannot be lavished on the bril- 

 liant Eace-horse ; but for the humble creature of which we are 

 speaking there is nothing but abuse and blows. How ungrateful 

 and capricious does Man appear to be in his loves as well as his 

 hates ! How often maj- he be seen treading under foot the 

 simplest rules of justice and common sense, even without motive, 

 and to the injury of his ov.ni interests ! 



According to M. Paul Gervais,* the principal varieties of the 

 Ass are, (1) the Thibetian Ass ; (2) the Persian Ass (the latter, 

 which has a reddish coat, often has wild blood in its veins, is 

 much valued in Persia on account of its strength and activity ; 

 great care is taken of it, as it is of considerable pecuniary value ; 

 but it is more headstrong than those of other races — whence 

 comes the proverb, "Stubborn as a red Ass") ; (3) the Tuscany 

 Ass, which is as large as a mule ; (4) the Sicilian Ass, a little 

 less in height ; (5) and an Ass, to which the Mahrattas give tlie 

 name of Gudha, which is not larger than a Newfoundland Dog, Ac. 



Among the Asses which are natives of our climate, M. Sanson, 

 in his Zootechnie, recognises two breeds, one of which comes from 

 the East, whilst the other has inhabited from time immemorial 

 the south of Europe, especially the Balearic Isles and Catalonia, 

 where it still flourishes. It is necessary, therefore, to distinguish 

 as varieties of the asinine species, the Common breed, which is 

 found everywhere in the East, and that which is called the Mule 

 breed, differing from the other in the shape of the skull, in its short, 

 thick, and wide head, and its more massive neck and shoidders. 



In size, and in other respects, the Ass varies according to 

 the localitjr in which it is bred. In the southern districts of 

 France its shape is rather slender ; in Poitou, on the other 

 hand, it attains the highest degree of development, being thick- 

 set and well placed on its limbs ; its croup is rounded and short, 

 the whole showing an abundance of muscular development. 

 This is the race principally sought after for stallions by the 

 breeders of mules. Its coat, which is of a dark shade, varies from 

 a brown haj to pure black. In the south of France the Ass has 

 generally close short hair ; but in Poitou the Ass is very shaggy, 

 and cnnooisseurs set a value on this mark of beauty. 



* Eistoire Naturelh chs Mtniiiiufircs, Paris, vol. ii. p. 150 



