360 WILD ANIMALS. 



CHAPTBE XXI. 



THE ASS {EQUUS ASINUS.) 



A GEBAT deal of uncertainty exists as to both the origin of the 

 domesticated ass and of the various species or varieties of the 

 wild ones. Some scientists contend that these latter races are 

 the descendants of animals vrhich have escaped from man's control 

 and like the wild horses of America have multiplied in an annually 

 increasing ratio. This theory has, however, but few if any facts, 

 for a basis. The knowledge now possessed respecting the habits 

 of both domesticated and wild asses points to a very different con- 

 clusion. For " the ass reduced to bondage," to quote an observation 

 of Mr. Low's,^ " loses the fleetness, the spirit, and the wildness, 

 which he possesses in a state of nature. Unlike to the horse, who 

 readily becomes devoted to his master and gives up all his powers 

 to his use, this creature seems to yield an unwilling service, and 

 feels the degradation of servitude. Yet he submits with patience 

 to his lot, and his progeny do not seem to recover the wildness of 

 their parents ; for it is not known that the progeny of the domes- 

 ticated ass ever seek to regain their liberty by joining their fellows 

 of the desert. It is otherwise with the horse, who is readily 

 tempted to join the emancipated herds, and fly from the bondage 

 in which he has lived. In South America, numerous asses have 

 been allowed to escape into the plains, and multiply in a state of 

 nature; but they never acquire the habits of their free-born 

 progenitors of the desert; they linger near the places of their 

 birth, and fall an easy prey to their enemies. The change of 

 nature in the ass by the effect of subjugation is entire. It seems 

 to be less the effect of discipline and education than of simple 



1 " On the Domesticated Aaimals of the British Islands," by David Low, Esq 

 E.E.S.E., &c. 



