2G7 
Foreign Extracts. 
ON THE FECUNDITY OF MULES. 
As reported on to the National and Central Society of Veterinary Medicine. 
By M. L. Prauge, Y.S. at Paris. 
The following is related by M. Lecomte :— 
On the *30th December, 1844, a she mule, about twelve years 
of age, belonging to M. Duval, miller and farmer at Montpinchon, 
aborted. The owner and the muleteer, when questioned con¬ 
cerning the event, gave out, that in July 1844 she experienced 
frequent horsings, and received several leaps from an entire 
horse, which were witnessed by the men looking after them: 
the mule herself soliciting and receiving the leaps with pleasure. 
One day, without it being known that she was in foal, the mule, 
loaded at the time with a sack of flour, slipped down upon the 
ice, and made violent ineffectual efforts to regain her feet. Five 
days a'terwards abortion took place. The foetus M. Lecomte 
sent for the inspection of the members of the Society, in order 
that the fact might receive every confirmation; and now the 
same is preserved in the museum of the Alfort School, for which 
Lecomte had originally destined it. 
When we go back and consult ancient authorities on this 
matter, we find both Greek and Latin authors, philosophers, 
physicians, hippiatrists and agriculturists, all mentioning the 
subject. 
Aristotle speaks of a mule becoming pregnant; but as the 
primogeniture was nowise perfect, it never saw the light. He 
also informs us of a she-mule having twins, and that, such was 
the superstition of the age, the event was regarded as the pre¬ 
sage of the most horrible catastrophes. 
Herodotus relates that when Darius was besieging Babylon, 
the Babylonians offered no resistance ; but, on the contrary, they 
shewed themselves upon the ramparts, and made fun of Darius 
and his army; while one of them came forward and cried out — 
“ What is the use, Persians, of losing your time in this manner 
before our walls'? You had better retire. You will capture 
Babylon when mules shall bring forth!” Little thought the 
Babylonian th^t a mule had ever bred. After a year and seven 
months of siege, it happened that a mule of Zopyrus, son of 
Megabysus, which was employed in carrying his provisions, had 
a foal. And the event became to Zopyrus the presage of the 
capture of Babylon. 
