s 
ASS. 
along the sides of the mountains, and secure them- 
selves by the roots of the trees, animate the beasts 
with shouts, and encourage them to perseverance. 
Some asses, after being long used to these journeys, 
acquire a kind of reputation for their safety and 
skill ; and their value rises in proportion to their 
fame. 
The ass was originally imported into America by 
the Spaniards ; and that country seems to have 
been so favourable to this race of animals, that where 
they have run wild they have multiplied in amaz- 
ing numbers, and become quite a nuisance. In the 
kingdom of Quito, says Ulloa, the owners of the 
grounds where they are bred, suffer all persons to 
take away as many as they can, on paying a small 
acknowledgment, in proportion to the number of 
days their sport lasts. They catch them in the fol- 
lowing manner : a number of persons go on horse- 
back, and are attended by Indians on foot : when 
arrived at the proper places, they form a circle in 
order to drive them into some valley ; where, at full 
speed, they throw the noose, and endeavour to 
halter them. Those creatures, finding themselves 
inclosed, make very furious efforts to escape ; and 
if only one forces his way through, they all follow 
with an irresistible impetuosity. ‘How'ever, when 
noosed, the hunters throw them down, and secure 
them with fetters ; and thus leave them till the 
chase is over. Then, in order to bring them aw ay 
with greater facility, they pair them with tame 
