t so dark or
well defined, and the ground colour is not so pure or clean-looking. For
the rest, all these three species are much alike; and it is more than
probable that either "Burchell's" or the "congo dauw" was the species to
which the name of "zebra" was first applied; for that which is now
called the "true zebra" inhabits those parts of Africa where it was less
likely to have been the first observed of the genus. At all events, the
"congo dauw" is the "hippotigris," or tiger-horse, of the Romans; and
this we infer from its inhabiting a more northerly part of Africa than
the others, all of which belong to the southern half of that continent.
The habitat of the zebra is said to extend as far north as Abyssinia;
but, perhaps, the "congo dauw," which certainly inhabits Abyssinia, has
been mistaken for the true zebra.

Of the four species in South Africa, the zebra is a mountain animal, and
dwells among the cliffs, while the dauw and quagga rove over the plains
and wild karoo deserts. In similar situations to these has the "white
zebra" been observed--though only by the traveller Le Vaillant--and
hence the doubt about its existence as a distinct species.

None of the kinds associate together, though each herds with other
animals! The quagga keeps company with the gnoo, the "dauw" with the
"brindled gnoo," while the tall ostrich stalks in the midst of the herds
of both!

There is much difference in the nature and disposition of the different
species. The mountain zebra is very shy and wild; the dauw is almost
untameable; while the quagga is of a timid docile nature, and may be
trained to harness with as much facility as a horse.

The reason why this has not been done, is simply because the farmers of
South Africa have horses in plenty, and do not stand in need of the
quagga, either for saddle or harness.

But though Von Bloom the farmer had never thought of "breaking in" a
quagga, Von Bloom the hunter now did.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

PLANNING THE CAPTURE OF THE QUAGGAS.

Up to this time the field-cornet had scarce deigned to notice the
quaggas. He knew what they were, and had often seen a drove of
them--perhaps the same one--approach the vley and drink. Neither he nor
any of his people had molested them, though they might have killed many.
They knew that the yellow oily flesh of these animals was not fit for
food, and is only eaten by the hungry natives--that their hides,
although sometimes used for grain-sack