HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 17 



The ASS. 



THE Afs, it is probable, was originally a native of 

 Arabia and other parts of the eafl : The deferts of 

 Lybia and Numidia, and many iflands of the Archipe- 

 lago, contain vaft herds of wild Affes, which run with 

 fuch amazing fwiftnefs, that even the fleeteft Horfes of 

 the country can hardly overtake them. They are chiefly 

 caught by the natives on account of their flefh, which 

 is eaten by them, and considered as a delicious repaft. 

 The flelh of the common or tame Afs is however drier, 

 more tough, and difagreeable than that of the Horfe ; 

 Galen fays, it is even unwholefome : Its milk, on the 

 contrary, is an approved remedy for certain diforders. — 

 The wild Afs is not ftreaked like the Zebra, (with which 

 it has often been confounded) nor is his form fo beauti- 

 ful : His figure refembles that of the common Afs, his 

 colour is brighter, and he has a white ftreak extending 

 from his head to his tail. 



B 



