The hunter is another distinct class of horses in England, where it is brought, by minute attention to breeding, to a high degree of excellence. With a consider able portion of the speed of the race horse, it combines inexpressibly more strength ; and the exertions which it of ten endures and survives, in violent cha ses of several hours continuance, are a decided proof of its vigour and value.
The draught-horse constitutes another class of these most interesting animals, and is no where advanced to such size and power as in Great Britain. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are the most celebrated counties for this breed, whence several have been brought to London, which have each, for a short distance, drawn, without difficulty, the weight of three tons, half of which is considered as the regular draught. A horse of this class was exhibited as a curiosity in London in the year 1805, no less than twenty hands in height. For the cart-horse, see Mam malia, Plate XI. fig. 2.
The colour of the horse is generally considered as matter of trifling conse quence. A bright or shining bay appears in this country to obtain the preference. In China, what are called pie-bald horses are in particular estimation. On occa sions of particular state in England, eight horses of a cream colour draw the royal carriage. The ancients appear to have connected their ideas of pomp and dig nity on similar occasions with the perfect white, in allusion to which the classics furnish an infinity of circumstances. Ab solute whiteness in the horse is, in this country, in almost every instance, the ef kct of age, which expunges the dark spots of the original grey. The improve ment of the horse has within a few years been an object of the attention of go vernment, as well as of enlightened indi viduals ; and establishments have been formed on a liberal scale for the promo tion of veterinary science. In France the government has recently devoted consi derable attention to this highly impor tant subject ; and during the last year on ly (1807) a very considerable number of veterinary schools or colleges were insti tuted in the capital, and the principal ci ties of the departments.
E. asinus, the ass. A warm climate is favourable to this species, (as also indeed to the horse,) which, is found in various parts of Africa in a state of nature, in which it is gregarious, and displays very considerable beauty, and even sprightli ness. In the mountainous territories of Tartary, and in the south of India and Persia, asses occur in great abundance, and are said to be here either absolutely white, or of a pale grey. Their hair also is reported to be bright and silky. In Persia asses are extremely in use, and supply, for different purposes, two very different races, one.heavy and slow, and the other slight, sprightly, and agile, which last is exclusively kept for the saddle. The practice is prevalent in that country, of slitting the nostrils of these animals, by which it is imagined they breathe with greater freedom, and can consequently sustain greater exer tion. The ass is stated to have been tin•• known in England before the reign of Elizabeth. It is now, however, com pletely naturalized, and its services to the poor, and consequently to the rich, are of distinguished and almost indispen sable importance. With respect to food,
a little is sufficient for its wants, and the most coarse and neglected herbage sup plies it with an acceptable repast. The plantain is its most favourite herbage. In the choice of water it is, however, ex tremely fastidious, drinking only of that which is perfectly pure and clear. It is one of the most patient and persevering of animals, but in connection with these qualities, it possesses also great sluggish ness, and often obstinacy. Owing to the extreme thickness of its skin, it possesses little sensibility to the application of the whip or the stings of insects, and the want of moisture, united to the above circumstance, precludes it more effec tually than, perhaps, any other quadru ped, from the annoyance of vermin. The ass is remarkable for particular caution against wetting its feet, to avoid which it will make various turns and crossings on the road. It seldom lies down to sleep, unless it is particularly fatigued, and sleeps considerably less than the horse. It is capable of being taught a variety of exercises, and, though regarded as a just emblem of stupidity, is far more suscep tible and docile than is generally imagi ned, though unquestionably far inferior to the horse in these respects. Its bray is harsh and disgusting, particularly that of the male. The female has been con sidered by many naturalists as incapable of braying, contrary, in this country, most certainly, to the most frequent and obvious facts. Her voice is somewhat shriller and weaker than the male. In several countries of Africa, and in some islands of the Archipelago, asses are hunted for food, and their flesh is regard ed as highly nutritious and agreeable. In England their milk is in high esteem in cases of debility and decline, and where the stomach of the patient is incapable of digesting the more strong and oily pro duce of the cow. In America, the ass was introduced by the Spaniards, and on the southern continent of that quarter of the world these animals are found at present in vast herds, having multiplied to an extreme degree, and being fre ' qnently hunted by the natives, who con trive to surround a particular herd, and enclosing them gradually within a very small compass, entangle as many as they . chuse to take, by throwing over each a noosed cord with unfailing dexterity. The animal is then fettered with extreme ease, and left in that state upon the ground till the conclusion of the chase, which sometimes is continued for two or three days. They are as swift as horses, and indeed, in all ages, the wild ass has been considered as distinguished by rapi dity. They attack and defend both with the hoof and teeth, in the same manner as horses. The slowness and sluggish ness of the ass have frequently excited ludicrous feelings, and it is related of Crassus, that the only occasion on which he was ever known to laugh was at an ass eating thistles. The habits of the ass, however, do not appear certainly a more fertile subject of ridicule than those of that philosophnr.