.CHAPTER XXIII 

 THE DOMESTIC ASS 



The domestic ass is commonly known as the jack or 

 the donkey, although the latter is often restricted to the 

 smaller species, as the burro. The male is usually desig- 

 nated as jack or jackass and the female as jennet. 



Species of the ass. — There are several species or varie- 

 ties of the -wild ass found in various parts of Asia and 

 Africa, two of which are worthy of mention, namely, the 

 Asiatic wild ass and the African wild ass. 



The Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus). — This species 

 is found in Asia, from the plains of Syria through Persia, 

 Afghanistan and Thibet to the Chinese frontier. As a 

 rule, it travels in small herds. The color varies some- 

 what, though gray, fawn and pale chestnut are the most 

 common. The belly is of a whitish color. This species 

 is notable for its speed and endurance. The height 

 varies from II to 12 hands. 



The African wild ass (Equus asinus). — ^This species is 

 found most numerous in Nubia, Abyssinia, and in north- 

 eastern Africa, between the Nile and the Red Sea. It is 

 assumed that the domestic ass descended from this 

 species. The color markings, the ears, and the cry or 

 bray are similar to the domestic ass. It is stated also, 

 that this species dislikes streams of water, dark holes 

 and the like — notable traits of the domestic ass. 



Early history of the ass. — This animal was used as 

 man's beast of burden at the dawn of authentic history. 

 From the evidence it seems that the early people appro- 

 priated to their use those things which lay easiest at 

 hand and from this it has been assumed that the wild ass 

 easily passed into a state of domestication. Little at- 

 tention was given to improvement until modern times. 



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