OEDEE OF PACHYDEEMATA. 
217 
acquired a reputation which is become proverbial for foolishness 
and obstinacy P Enough praise cannot be lavished on the bril- 
liant Bace-horse ; but for the humble creature of which we are 
speaking there is nothing but abuse and blows. How ungrateful 
and capricious does Man appear to be in his loves as well as his 
hates ! How often may he be seen treading under foot the 
simplest rules of justice and common sense, even without motive, 
and to the injury of his own interests ! 
According to M. Paul Gervais,* the principal varieties of the 
Ass are, (1) the Thibetian Ass ; (2) the Persian Ass (the latter, 
which has a reddish coat, often has wild blood in its veins, is 
much valued in Persia on account of its strength and activity ; 
great care is taken of it, as it is of considerable pecuniary value ; 
but it is more headstrong than those of other races — whence 
comes the proverb, “ Stubborn as a red Ass ”) ; (3) the Tuscany 
Ass, which is as large as a mule; (4) the Sicilian Ass, a little 
less in height ; (5) and an Ass, to which the Mahrattas give the 
name of Gudha, which is not larger than a Newfoundland Hog, &c. 
Among the Asses which are natives of our climate, M. Sanson, 
in his Zootechnie , recognises two breeds, one of which comes from 
the East, whilst the other has inhabited from time immemorial 
the south of Europe, especially the Balearic Isles and Catalonia, 
where it still flourishes. It is necessary, therefore, to distinguish 
as varieties of the asinine species, the Common breed, which is 
found everywhere in the East, and that which is called the Mule 
breed, differing from the other in the shape of the skull, in its short, 
thick, and wide head, and its more massive neck and shoulders. 
In size, and in other respects, the Ass varies according to 
the locality in which it is bred. In the southern districts of 
France its shape is rather slender ; in Poitou, on the other 
hand, it attains the highest degree of development, being thick- 
set and well placed on its limbs ; its croup is rounded and short, 
the whole showing an abundance of muscular development. 
This is the race principally sought after for stallions by the 
breeders of mules. Its coat, which is of a dark shade, varies from 
a brown bay to pure black. In the south of France the Ass has 
generally close short hair ; but in Poitou the Ass is very shaggy, 
and cnnooisseurs set a value on this mark of beauty. 
* Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes, Paris, yoL ii. p. 150 
