442 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
ness, as lie fed the asses of Zibeon his father.” It is a dis¬ 
puted point whether he was the first breeder of them: Aris¬ 
totle and Pliny are of opinion that he was. However this 
may be, mules do not appear to have become common in 
India until the reign of David, which was about 300 years 
after the death of Anah. We think it very improbable that 
wild mules were found, as hybrids are only known to be 
generated under the influence of domestication. Or, if the 
manner of engendering mules were known to the Israelites, 
that people probably desisted from breeding them in con¬ 
sequence of the law of God against their propagation ; for 
it is said, “ Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shall not 
let thy cattle gender with diverse kinds.” It is therefore 
likely that the mules which David and his nobles rode were 
imported from other countries, where they appear to have 
been common long before his reign. In Greece and Cap¬ 
padocia they abounded in early times, for the latter country 
paid an annual tribute of mules to Persia. 
The mule, like its progenitor, the ass. is much more use¬ 
ful as a beast of burden in mountainous countries than the 
horse, being very sure-footed. Their long and sweeping 
pace on a plain makes their motion extremely easy and 
agreeable to the rider. Fifty or sixty pounds sterling is no 
uncommon price for a fine mule in Spain 
