ZEBRA. 
the ass ; and, though often compared to these 
two animals, under the names of the wild 
Korse, and striped ass, it is not a copy of either, 
but should rather be considered as their model, 
if in nature every species were not alike origi- 
nal, and had not an equal right to claim the 
honours of creation. 
The Zebra, therefore, is neitlier a horse nor 
an ass ; for, though often attempted, they were 
never known to intermix and produce together : 
nor is it the animal mentioned by the ancients 
under the name onager; the onagri, or wild 
ass species, being still numerous, and differing 
from the domestic asses by those qualities only 
which result from freedom and independence. 
But neither the onager, nor the fine asses of 
Arabia, can be regarded as the origin of the 
Zebra species, though they resemble it in figure 
and swiicness. None of them exhibit tliat va- 
liety of colouring - by which the Zebra is so 
eminently distinguished. This beautiful spe- 
cies is singular, and very remote from all other 
.^J^jjit^,, It also belongs to a different climate 
from that of the onager, being only found in 
die eastern and soutlicm regions of Africa, 
from 
