NATURAL HISTORY. 
19 
pack-horfes ufually carry a burthen of 4201b. 
over the higheft hills. 
The ASS. 
T his animal rcfembles the horfe very 
nearly in form, but, being of a clif- 
tinft fpecies, in a ftate of nature it is entire- 
ly different. It is found wild in the deferts 
of Lydia and Numidia, where it is. caught 
with traps. Of their Ikins, fliagreen leather, 
and other valuable articles arc manufafturecL 
The plantain is their favourite vegetable. 
Their fcent is fo acute, that they are ca- 
pable of fmelling their driver or owner at a 
great diflance, and will even diflinguifh him 
in a croud. In proportion to his file, he is 
ftronger than the horfe, and fiipported with 
much lefs care and fultenance. In lome coun- 
tries they are fo large, that in Spain a jack-afs 
is frequently feen fifteen hands high. Of all 
animals covered with hair, the af's is the leaft 
fubjeft to vermin. His period of exiflence is 
from twenty to twenty-five years ; and, al- 
though he can endure much more fatigue and 
hardfhip than a horfe, he has much lefs flecp. 
It is related of this animal, that he will never 
ftir if he be blinded. 
The afs was originally imported into Ame- 
cica by the Spaniards, who now hunt them 
for their diverlion. 
In 
