430 



ASS. 



also said to be fouiicl in Africa, and to occur, 

 though but very rarely, in some parts of Syria 

 and Arabia ; countries where it was in ancient 

 times extremely common. In this its natural 

 state, its colour is said to be white, or of a very 

 pale silvery grey, with a slight tinge of straw-co- 

 lour on the sides of the neck and body : along 

 the back runs a deep brown stripe of thickish 

 wavy hair, to the beginning of the tail : tliis 

 stripe is crossed over the shoulders, as in the 

 tame animal, by another of similar colour; but 

 it is said that this is peculiar to the male. The 

 neck is furnished with a brown mane three or 

 four inches long, consisting of soft woolly hair : 

 the tail is tufted at the' end by dusky hairs of 

 about six inches in length : the forehead is arched, 

 and the ears erect, pointed, and lined internally 

 with white curling hairs. It stands higher on its 

 limbs than the domesticated animal, and its legs 

 are more slender in proportion. The hair on the 

 whole body is very fine, bright, soft, and silky ; 

 and on some parts is marked by a fe^y obscure 

 waves or undulations of a darker shade than the 

 rest. Those which are found in Africa are said 

 to be of a pale ash-colour, rather than of the cast 

 above described. 



The food of the wild Ass consists chiefly of sa- 

 line, or bitter and lactescent plants. It is also 

 fond of salt or brackish water. The manners of 

 these animals veiy much resemble those of the 

 wild Horse. They assemble in troops, under the 

 conduct of a leader or centinel ; and are ex~ 



