206 



The Living Animals of the World 



EGYPTIAN DOKKEYS 



[ IFis/ion-, JS'.B. 



■> long been known to tbe Egyptians, having been in use by 

 them befote tbe introduction of the horse. 



towards a definite end — large size, accom- 

 panied by great physical strength and powers 

 of endurance. To accomplish this, speed has 

 had to be sacrificed. 



ASSES AND MULES. 

 AS.SE.S. 



The Domestic Ass, so common to-day 

 in these islands, is of African origin, and 

 has, moreover, departed but little in either 

 form or colour from the wild race. This is 

 proljably due to the fact that the ass has 

 not been subjected in this country to that 

 process of rigorous and careful selection that 

 the horse has undergone. 



We have no record of its first intro- 

 duction to these islands, but it was certainly 

 known in the reign of Etlielred, though it 

 was a rare animal. Later it appears to 

 liave died out, and to ha\e been reintroduced 

 in the reign of Elizabeth; but it has never 

 Ijecome popular. This is unfortunate ; its 

 sterling qualities have irever been really 

 ajipreeiated by us. Spain, Italy, and Jlalta 

 have all succeeded in raising some fine breeds. 

 The United States has, however, produced 

 the finest of all in animals standing some 

 15 or IG hands (5 feet or 5 feet 4 inches) 



hi.rh. 



Mules. 



The term Mule, strictly speaking, should be reserved for the offspring of the male ass and 

 the mare : the offspring of the opposite cross is called the Hinny. ]Mules are valued on account 

 of their great powers of endurance and their sure-footedness. The finest and handsomest are 

 bred in Spain, the United 

 States, and North-west India. 



It is interesting to note 

 that mules exhibit a strong 

 tendency to revert to the dun- 

 coloured and striped coloration 

 believed to belong to tlie 

 priinitive horses. The spinal 

 and shoulder stripes which 

 sometimes appear in horses, 

 and more frequently in asses, 

 occur yet more frequently in 

 mules. The legs of the mules 

 appear particularly liable to 

 revert to this striped colora- 

 tion in the United States, it 

 is said nine out of ten being 

 so marked. 



Fholohii C.lteid] 



MULES. 

 A couplo of fine iiiuleH lielonging to Lord Arthur Cecil. 



