CHAPTER XXI 



THE ASS 



The ancestry of the ass may be traced to the wild ass of Asia 

 and Africa. The males are usually termed " jacks," and the females 

 " jennets." The following are the important species of the wild ass : 



The Asiatic Wild Ass or Kiang {Equus hemiojius). It occurs in 

 Asia, on extensive plains, from Syria through Persia, Afghanistan, 

 the Punjab, and Tibet to the Chinese frontier. The general color 

 is reddish gray, varying to fawn or pale chestnut. A dark-brown 

 stripe, sometimes with a white edge, extends along the spine from 

 the back of the head to the tail. As with the domestic ass, the 

 ears are large, the tail is covered with short hair which increases 

 in length to form a black brush, there is an erect mane, and no 

 foretop. The middlepiece is short, and the thighs are full, as 

 in the case of the horse. There are callosities on the fore legs 

 but none on the hind. The height varies from 1 1 to 12 hands. 

 This ass is remarkable for speed and endurance. The voice is 

 a shrieking bray. 



The Persian Wild Ass {Equus hemippus) resembles the Asiatic 

 ass in its general conformation, but is larger, and suggests the 

 domestic ass. It is dun in color, with a white underline and 

 brown dorsal stripe. 



The African Wild Ass (Equus asimis) is found wild in Abys- 

 sinia, Nubia, and northeastern Africa between the Nile and the 

 Red Sea. It is very similar to the domestic ass in color and 

 markings, but has a distinct shoulder stripe extending from the 

 withers to the arm of the fore leg. 



From the wild ass various breeds of the domestic ass have 

 descended, ranging in size from those no larger than a New- 

 foundland dog to that of a draft horse. There are several breeds 

 of importance, from which we in America secure the jackass, or 

 jack, for mating to mares, and these will be discussed after first 

 briefly referring to the domestic type. 



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