LESSON FIFTEEN 
THE ASS AND THE MULE 
1. The wild ass—The ass and the horse in a wild 
state were not widely different. It is only when the 
domestic relations are reached that a divergence of char- 
acters exists, and these are more external than otherwise. 
In their wild state they live in herds and wander to and 
fro, gathering their food regardless of quality or scanty 
herbage. Under domestication they submit to the worst 
forms of drudgery, but in a wild state are distinguished 
by an inborn love of freedom. Job excellently describes 
him: 
“Who hath sent. out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the 
bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, 
and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude 
of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range 
a ae mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green 
2. Description—Compared with the domestic ass, the 
wild ass is taller, more active, is more solidly built, and 
is capable of enduring great fatigue. He drinks salt or fresh 
water, and eats bitter herbs, weeds 
and tough grasses, even when 
other pasturage is available. In 
color, they are grayish. In winter 
the coat gets very heavy and takes 
on a fleecelike” appearance which 
changes in summer to ‘soft, silky 
hair. Their sharp eyes and quick, 
keen ears enable them to detect 
the approach of an intruder or 4 
enemy at great distances away. Henne aee 
149 
