XV 
AN UNCAGED ZOO 
189 
stripes on its legs, like those on the legs of tlie zebra. 
These are well shown on the ass represented below. It 
cannot be seriously contended on this account that asses 
have been derived from zebra ancestors. No one has 
seen an ass with a face, ears, and tail like a zebra. 
These leg-markings have interested me much, because 
they are often very numerous in asses and mules bred 
{Photo(iraph hy J. B. Christopherson.) 
in Somaliland. Mr. Christopherson informs me that 
in the Berber Province where there are wild asses, it is 
the practice to tether the she-asses away from the 
villages in order that they may become impregnated 
by wild asses. The cross stripes on the legs is a feature 
of the Somali wild ass, and the reputed cause of the 
shoulder stripe is known to all Christians. 
