50 
THE ZEBRA. 
THE ZEBRA. 
are sometimes seen feeding together. While some are ( 
eating, others keep watch, to see that no enemy, whether 
man or beast, comes near. If those on the watch see a 
man, or a ferocious beast, they instantly give the alarm 
to the others, and the whole herd run away, with such 
swiftness, that no other animal can come up with them. 
Can the Zebra be tamed, and taught to work, like the horse 1 
The natural wildness of the Zebra has never yet been 
entirely overcome, for, though taken ever so young, he 
disdains to be the servant and drudge of man. After 
being kept for many years, in captivity, and constantly 
fed by the hand of one man, he will not, even then, pa¬ 
tiently suffer him to sit on his back. When strangers 
come near him, he will lop down his ears, and make 
ready to bite, or turn his heels, and prepare to kick. 
How is he taken ? 
This animal, in his native country, is taken with great 
difficulty. He is too shy, and cunning, to be caught in 
a trap, and too swift to be run down by hoises. When 
full grown, therefore, he is very rarely taken. While 
quite young, the hunters, after much pains, and a long 
pursuit, sometimes tire him down, and thus gain a prize, 
for which they get a good sum of money. 
Is this animal of any use to man 1 
The skin of this animal sells at a great price, on ac¬ 
count of its singular beauty and scarcity. The animal 
itself, is also highly prized as a curiosity, and is some¬ 
times bought for a large sum, to be carried about as a 
show. 
How does the Zebra differ from the horse ? 
The most striking difference between this animal and 
the horse, is in his color. But he also differs from the 
horse in his form and size. The horse is larger than the 
Zebra, and his neck, head and ears, are more beautifully 
formed. The Zebra can outrun the horse, but the horse 
is kind to his rider, and carries him with pleasure, while 
the Zebra, if one gets on his back, rears up, and throws 
him off if he can. The horse works constantly and pa¬ 
tiently, while the Zebra, is so obstinate and fierce, that 
he cannot be made to work at all. 
How does the Zebra differ from all other animals ? 
The Zebra differs from all other animals in the great 
beauty of the skin, and the perfect regularity of the 
stripes, with which it is adorned. 
After reading the history of almost any animal, if we 
will think a few moments, we may see that the Creator 
has been kind to it, in one way or another, and that 
each animal has some quality or thing, that it most wants. 
The elephant, for instance, cannot run swiftly, so as to 
get out of the way of other animals, but he has no need 
of running, for he has great power, aud a long trunk to 
defend himself with. The buffalo, and the bison, have 
horns, as weapons of defense, while the lion and tiger 
i have strong teeth and claws, for the same purpose, as 
