f
Asia, though it is also found in the north-eastern parts of Africa.
There is also the "dziggetai," or "great wild ass," of Central and
Southern Asia, and another smaller species the "ghur" found in Persia.
Again, there is the "kiang" met with in Ladakh, and the "yo-totze," an
inhabitant of Chinese Tartary.

All these are Asiatic species, found in a wild state, and differing from
one another in colour, size, form, and even in habits. Many of them are
of elegant form, and swift as the swiftest horses.

In this little book we cannot afford room for a description of each, but
must confine our remarks to what is more properly our subject--the wild
asses of Africa. Of these there are six or seven kinds--perhaps more.

First, there is the "wild ass," which, as already stated, extends from
Asia into the north-eastern parts of Africa, contiguous to the former
continent.

Next there is the "koomrah," of which very little is known, except that
it inhabits the forests of Northern Africa, and is solitary in its
habits, unlike most of the other species. The koomrah has been described
as a "wild horse," but, most probably, it belongs to the genus _asinus_.

Now there are four other species of "wild asses" in Africa--wild horses
some call them--and a fifth reported by travellers, but as yet
undetermined. These species bear such a resemblance to one another in
their form, the peculiar markings of their bodies, size, and general
habits, that they may be classed together under the title of the zebra
family. First, there is the true zebra, perhaps the most beautiful of
all quadrupeds, and of which no description need be given. Second, the
"dauw," or "Burchell's zebra," as it is more frequently called. Third,
the "congo dauw," closely resembling the dauw. Fourth, the "quagga"; and
fifth, the undetermined species known as the "white zebra," so called
from its pale yellow, or Isabella colour.

These five species evidently have a close affinity with each other--all
of them being more or less marked with the peculiar transversal bands or
"stripes," which are the well-known characteristics of the zebra. Even
the quagga is so banded upon the head and upper parts of its body.

The zebra proper is "striped" from the tip of the nose to its very
hoofs, and the bands are of a uniform black, while the ground colour is
nearly white, or white tinged with a pale yellow. The "dauws," on the
other hand, are not banded upon the legs; the rays are no