and better shaped. It is not yet well known whe- 
ther the animal called the Gimerro be one of these 
kinds ; or, as is asserted, bred between the ass and 
the bull. While naturalists affirm the impossi- 
bility of this mixture, the . natives of the Alpine 
countries, where this animal is bred, as strongly 
insist upon its reality. The common mule is very 
healthy, and will live above thirty years, being 
found very serviceable in carrying burdens, par- 
ticularly in mountainous and stony places, where! 
horses are not so sure-footed. The size and 
strength of our asses is at present greatly im- 
proved by the importation of Spanish jack-asses ; 
and it is probable we may come in time, to equal 
the Spaniards in breeding them, where it is not un- 
■ common to give fifty or sixty guineas for a mule; 
and* indeed, in some mountainous countries, the in- 
habitants cannot well do without them. Their man- 
ner of going' down the precipices of the Alps, or the 
Andes, is very extraordinary ; and with it we will 
conclude their history. In these passages, on one 
side are steep eminences, and on the other fright- 
ful abysses ; and, as they generally follow the di- 
rection of the mountain, the road, instead of lying 
in a level, forms at every little distance steep de- 
clivities, of several hundred yards downward. 
These can only be descended by mules ; and 
the animal itself seems sensible of the danger, 
and the caution that is to be used in such descents. 
When they come to the edge of one of these des- 
cents, they stop, without being checked by the 
rider ; and if lie inadvertently attempt to spur 
them on, they continue immoveable. They seem 
all this time ruminating on the danger that lies be- 
fore them, and preparing themselves for the en- 
counter. They not only attentively view the road, 
but tremble and snort at the danger. Having 
prepared for the descent, they place their fore feet 
