THE DONKEY. 123 



more suave. He, like all those who have to mix 

 freely with their fellows, has acquired an accom- 

 modating disposition. In the case of men, we 

 seldom find an obstinate, self-assertive individual 

 among those who live in cities and mix freely in 

 society. Such ass-like natures are much com- 

 moner in small communities, such as farm-ham- 

 lets and villages. The common view that the 

 donkey is less intelligent than the horse is not 

 supported by those who have studied the subject 

 with thoroughness. Professor Romanes, in his 

 interesting book upon ' Animal Intelligence,' tells 

 us some remarkable stories of the sagacity of the 

 ass. It is his unwillingness to fall in with the 

 wishes of those who would influence him, his 

 general conservatism, and his stubbornness in 

 sticking to his own view, which have won him 

 the undeserved reputation which he holds. But 

 if we look at him in his wild state we shall find 

 an explanation of this mental independence. In 

 his mountain home, where pasture is scarce, only 

 a few wild asses, as a rule, go together. Should 

 a foe appear suddenly when they are scattered in 

 search of the scanty herbage, each must decide 

 on a course for himself, for it would not always 

 be possible to follow a leader. Hence self-reli- 



