ASS. 
II 
rolls on the grass among thistles or fern ; and he 
frequently takes this liberty without paying any re- 
gard to the load he carries, seemingly with a view' 
to reproach the neglect of his master ; for he never 
wallows, like the horse, in the mire, or in the water. 
He is even afraid to wet his feet, and turns off the 
road to avoid a puddle. 
The wild ass, or onager of the antients, is much 
higher than the tame ass, which it resembles in 
the narrowness of its chest and body. The head 
is carried with more spirit, and the skull is said to 
be surprisingly thin. This species, according to 
Mr. Pennant, inhabits the dry and mountainous 
parts of the deserts of Great Tartary. They are 
migratory, and arrive in vast troops, to feed during 
the summer, in the tracts east and north of Lake 
Aral. About autumn, they collect in herds of 
hundreds, and even thousands, and direct their 
course towards the north of India, to enjoy a warm 
retreat during winter. But it appears that Persia is 
their most usual place of retirement, where some of 
them are found in the mountains of Casbin at all 
times of the year. 
The Arabians take them in snares for the sake of 
their flesh, which, although hot and unsavoury when 
fresh killed, becomes very good meat, if not eaten 
till a day or two after it has been boiled. The Ro- 
mans were likewise fond of them; and Pliny tells us 
that the epicures preferred those of Africa to all 
others. 
