OEUEE OF PACHYDEEMATA. 219 



Alps and Pyrenees. Mules bred in the Departments of Jura, 

 Herault, Aveyron, and Isere are used chiefly for agricultural 

 labour. In the south of France this animal is an important 

 auxdiary to the farmer, performing most of the hard work which 

 IS required from Oxen in the centre and north of France. 



The Wild Ass, Kiang, Dshikketee {Ilemimvm, Cuvier), Fig. 67, 

 in its shape and proportions, takes the middle place between the 

 Horse and the Ass. This, indeed, is implied by its name, derived 



Fig. 66.— Mules. 



from the Greek word ij/xioroe, meaning Semi-ass. It resembles a 

 Mule, but its legs are more slender, and its carriage is lighter. 

 The general colour is dun, the mane and dorsal stripe black, and 

 the tail is terminated by a black tuft. This animal inhabits, as 

 we have before stated, the sandy deserts of Asia, especially those 

 of Mongolia, or the plains north of the Himalaj^a, and lives in 

 droves, which are often composed of more than a hundred indi- 

 viduals. Enduring and swift, they are very difiicidt to ap]3roach, 

 and, as both its hide and flesh are much sought after, traps are 



