ASIA. 



887 



Dromedai-ij. 



.Irubian Horse. 



horseback ; and the noblest breeds of horses are still to be met with in Arabia. Horse-flesh is 

 an 'mportant article of food with some nations, and mare's milk supplies the place of that of the 



- kine among some of the tribes. The Jlss {E. 



_^ Jlsinus) of x\sia, is also of larger pi'ojiortions 



and more generous spirit than those which have 

 been transported to other countries. Instead of 

 the dejected air, pinched dimensions, and half- 

 starved appearance of the degenerate ass of Eu- 

 rope, the ass of Persia and Syria approaches 

 nearer to the size of a horse, and partakes much 

 of his beauty of form, noble carriage, and great 

 speed. The Dziggelai [E. Itevuonus) is inter- 

 mediate between the two I'oi-mer species, and 

 has remained in a wild state ; it inhabits in large 

 troops the great central deserts of Asia, and is 

 probably the animal mentioned by ancient writers 

 as t!ie wild mule, it runs almost with the 



of lightning. 



and snuffing up 



carrying its head 

 the wind ; its air 



rapuiiiy 

 erect, 



is wild and fiery, and the fleetest courser 

 that ever scoured tl^e desert v.ould in vain 

 attempt to overtake it. 



The Peacock (Pavo cristatvs) is the 

 most magnificent of tlse whole feathered 

 creation. It was Introduced into Europe 

 from the south of ilsia more than 2,000 

 years ago. It lives about 20 years, and 

 does not acquii-e its beautiful plumage till 

 3 years of age. 



The Golden Pheasant {Phasianvs pic- 

 tus) is a very beautiful bird, about 3 feet 

 in length ; its plumage is variegated with 

 tints of gold, orange, green, yellow, black, 

 white, and crimson. It is a native of 

 China. The Com>non PJieasant of Eu- 

 rope is a native of Persia, and Is still 

 found thei'e in a wild state. The Silver 

 Pheasant (P.' nycthemerus) and Collared 

 or Ring-necked Pheasant (P. torejuatus) 

 are also indigenous in China. The most 

 valuable of our domestic fowls, the com- 

 nioii cock and hen [Gallvs domesticvs) 



