ASS. 
9 
beasts of the same kind : but this is not easily per- 
formed ; for they are so remarkably fierce that they 
often hurt the persons who undertake to manage 
them. It is this superior breed that the inhabitants 
of Quito use in, their passage across the mountains. 
They have all the swiftness of horses, and neither 
acclivities nor precipices retard them in their ca- 
reer ; they are very spirited, and when attacked de- 
fend themselves with their mouth, with such ac- 
tivity that, without slackening their pace, they often 
maim their pursuers : but the most remarkable pro- 
perty in these creatures is, that after carrying the 
first load, their celerity leaves them ; their danger- 
ous ferocity is lost, and they soon contract the stupid 
look and dullness peculiar to the asinine species. It 
is also observable that these creatures will not per- 
mit a horse to live among them; they always graze 
together ; and if a horse happens to stray into 
the places where they feed, they all fall upon 
him, and bite and kick him till they leave him 
dead on the spot. They are very troublesome 
neighbours, making a most horrid noise : for, when- 
ever one or two of them begins to bray, they are an- 
swered in the same vociferous manner by all within 
the reach of the sound, which is greatly increased 
and prolonged by the repercussions of the valleys and 
breaches of the mountains. 
The asses in the principal streets of Cairo stand 
ready to be hired ; they are properly bridled and 
saddled, and attended by the person who lets them. 
This man runs behind, to goad on his ass and cry 
