THE ASS. 



The flefli of the Afs is hard and unfit for food, although that of the wild 

 Afs is elleemed a delicacy. The milk is univerfally known, and efteemed as 

 an approved fpecific in many difeafes; it is conlidered as a great blunter of 

 acrimony, is light and eafy of digeftion, and highly nutritious, and has 

 maintained its reputation ever lince the time of Hippocrates. 



The Afs appears to have been originally a native of Arabia, where the 

 patriarch Job reckons one thoufand She-AfTes as a part of his riches: thence, 

 it is probable, he pafTed through Egypt into Greece, Italy, France, Germany, 

 England, and Sweden. Warm climates fuit him beft, and he gradually 

 diminiflies in lize and good qualities, in proportion as he advances 

 northward. Though the climate of South America is perfectly confonant 

 with the nature of the Afs, none of thefe animals were found there till they 

 were introduced by the Spaniards. The breed of them is now fo much 

 increafed, that they are found wild in the woods in great numbers; fo as to 

 become a nuifance. They equal the Horfe in fwiftnefs, and are not to be 

 retarded in their career by declivities or even precipices. They are 

 frequently taken in fnares, and having once borne a load, their fleetnefs and 

 ferocity inftantly forfake them, and they foon affiime the dull and ftupid look 

 of thofe which are tame. They always feed in herds, and will not fuffer a 

 Horfe to aflbciate with them. 



The Spaniards beft know the value of the Afs; they ufe every method to 

 improve the breed, and it is common to fee them there above fifteen hands 

 high. They are ufed to ride'on, as faddle Horfes, and are particularly ufeful 

 in that mountainous country, being never known to trip or make a falfe 

 flep. The Arabians have alfo taken great pains to improve the breed, and 

 perfect the good qualities of this ufeful animal: they have a race which is far 

 fuperior to all others, as well for their beauty and vivacity, as for their fure 

 and eafy pace. A well educated Afs of this kind will fell for 25l. fterling. 

 The Moullacks and diftinguifhed men of letters commonly ride on them. 



In India, the Afs is much degenerated, which is evidently from a want of 

 proper care in preferving the breed, as the climate is as favourable to them 

 as that of Arabia. The native Afs of India is feeble, fmall, and bow-legged; 

 it is fubjecl: to be fhort-winded, to remedy which inconvenience, a deep 



