MULES AND ASSES. 349 



Malabar and Mauritius, where the field-officers 

 have often been dismounted, it is next to impos- 

 sible to keep horses in health and condition : 

 they are also costly, $150 to $200, German 

 crowns, being asked for Kadishs or garrons. 



The Government stables at Zanzibar also 

 contain a few mules brought from the Persian 

 Gulf. They become liable to inveterate drowsi- 

 ness ; they start when approached, refuse food 

 and drink, and soon succumb to the climate. 

 The ass, on the contrary, here as in the East 

 African interior, thrives even upon hard food, 

 and consequently it is prized by the Arabs. 

 There are many breeds. During the season fine 

 animals are brought from Oman; iron-grey 

 mares with white legs being preferred ; Bahrayn 

 and the Persian Gulf send a large light-coloured 

 beast, resembling that of Baghdad ; it is not, how- 

 ever, considered lasting. Asses imported from 

 Brava and the Somali country are held fit only 

 for carrying burdens, and the Unyamwezi breed, 

 known by its lopped ears, though strong and 

 serviceable, is always but half tamed, and is 

 often vicious. The most useful and lasting are 

 the Mutawallid or Muwallid, the progeny of 

 Maskat beasts, Creoles born upon the Island — 

 these we were advised to buy before leaving for 



