THE DOMESTIC ASS 



241 



Breeds of the domestic ass. — As with the horse, the dis- 

 tribution of the ass has been widespread and he has been 

 subject to variation in food supply, temperature, moisture 

 and general environment, with the result that many- 

 breeds or varieties have been developed. These breeds 

 vary in size, ranging from the diminutive burro, often 

 only 36 inches high, to the medium-sized draft horse. 

 Of the large number of breeds only six are useful for 



FIG. 123.— BURRO AT WORK 



mule breeding in America, namely, the Andalusian, Mal- 

 tese, Catalonian, Majorca, Italian and Poitou. 



The Andalusian jack. — This breed was developed in 

 southern Spain, particularly in the ancient Kingdom of 

 Andalusia. It is a very ancient and distinctive race, as is 

 evidenced by the statements of the profits arising from 

 its use in propagating mules during the Roman occupa- 

 tion and before the time of Christ. The prevailing color 

 is gray, and often practically white, with black very 

 uncommon. This is a large breed, standing 14.2 to 15.2 



