8 
inhabitant of the hottest parts of the earth, and is therefore likely to be of service where the horse loses his capabilities by climate ; 
we may naturally be surprised that the Couagga has been suffered by us to retain its liberty so long. Naturalists now, however, have 
discovered the pliability of its disposition, in conjunction with its physical powers; and practical men will probably in time take 
advantage of the discovery, by adding the Couagga to the number of species subdued to the general profit, convenience, and pleasure 
of mankind.” * 
Judging from its low, and somewhat laboured pace, the inactive spectator would pronounce the Quagga to be a slow and heavy 
galloper; but it is only necessary to follow its flight a few yards on horseback, to be convinced of the rate at which it covers the 
ground. Singly, in a stern chase, it can laugh at the miserable, conditionless hacks, upon which it is usually hunted by the Boors and 
Griquas ; but when congregated in dense masses, nothing is easier than to turn the flank of the troop, which then immediately sounds 
the halt, and fronting the pursuer, gazes for a few seconds with distended nostrils, before again neighing the retreat. On nearing their 
heels, stones, dust, and pebbles Hy at a surprising rate, periling the eyes and teeth of the pursuer : and when wounded, they prove espe- 
cially ugly and vicious customers. Amongst other sporting anecdotes with which one of our Hottentot followers occasionally favoured. 
us, when in an amiable humour, was a touching account of the death of his only and beloved brother, Phoebus Cockerlockie, from a 
fracture of his skull inflicted by the heels of a half disabled Quagga, that he had incautiously approached with hostile designs. Had 
the cranium of the luckless deceased possessed but one third the solidity of that of his surviving relative, this catastrophe could scarcely 
have occurred. I have myself narrowly escaped from many a well-directed salute, and once saw a wretched savage, every finger of 
whose dexter hand had been stripped off by the long yellow teeth of a wounded male. Of the many specimens killed by us, all the 
males were entire ; no instance coming under my notice of the mutilation which is of such common occurrence amongst those of the 
Khur-Guddrey or Wild Ass of India, chiefly found on the Runn, or desert of Cutch, and of which nine-tenths are actually gelt by the 
teeth of the jealous sire, the moment they are foaled. If not entitled to a full share of the extravagant eulogiums that have been 
lavished upon the Dziggtai of the wilds of Tartary, “who snuffeth up the wind at its pleasure,” and can distance the fleetest Arabian 
courser that ever scoured the desert,—the Quagga, nevertheless, responds to that animal in the distinct Zoological regions of Southern 
Africa, no less than to the Asiatic species now referred to; and the habits of each of these elegant Solipedal varieties, as well as of those 
which will hereafter be noticed, are alike comprehended in the poetical and beautifully graphic description of the Wild Ass, which has 
already been quoted at the head of this Chapter, from the oldest Book of the World. 
* Griffith’s Translation, Vol. III, p. 465. 
T/. 7-7 A 
Van, ; Shim o ; j, ay a ae . pre pake to ? - Z. 
Head anit. Shin of the Aramad vachidiied ws a Juaggo: ab the Loologuenl borders, Loegonts Leip te 
