. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. 276 ASS ASS ASS. Equus spp. Equidce. Figs. 306, 307. By C. S. Plumb. The ass is a beast of burden. The males or jacks are used much also in the production of mules. (See Mule.) The ass belongs to the genus Equus, which includes the horse and allied forms. Description. The ass differs from the horse chiefly as follows: The ears are large and long; the mane is short and does not fall to one side ; the tail is nearly devoid of long hair, excepting at the extremity; the hoofs are small; chestnuts are lacking on the hind-legs ; the pe
. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. 276 ASS ASS ASS. Equus spp. Equidce. Figs. 306, 307. By C. S. Plumb. The ass is a beast of burden. The males or jacks are used much also in the production of mules. (See Mule.) The ass belongs to the genus Equus, which includes the horse and allied forms. Description. The ass differs from the horse chiefly as follows: The ears are large and long; the mane is short and does not fall to one side ; the tail is nearly devoid of long hair, excepting at the extremity; the hoofs are small; chestnuts are lacking on the hind-legs ; the period of gestation is about twelve months, instead of eleven, as with the horse. White markings, such as a star in the forehead or white feet, are very rare. History. The ass was used as a beast of burden for many centuries prior to the Christian era. Figures of the ass are found in the early Egyptian sculptures, and the animal is frequently referred to in the books of the Bible. Undoubtedly the wild form easily passed into a state of domestication. In America.—The history of the ass in America dates back into colonial times. About 1787, two jacks, known as Royal Gift and Knight of Malta, were presented to George Washington and placed on his estate at Mt. Vernon. The former, with a jennet, was from the King of Spain, while the Knight of Malta was from Marquis de LaFayette, and came from France. These jacks were used in mule-breeding on Washington's estate and on Vir- ginia mares, and those sired by the French jack were very valuable. The development of the mule industry in Kentucky began about 1800, and many valuable breeding jacks have since then been im- ported from Spain, Henry Clay being one of the earliest importers. Tennessee, a noted mule-pro- ducing state, received its first importation of jacks about 1840. At the present time, Missouri, Ken- tucky, and Tennessee are leading states engaged in the mule trade, and there important studs of the ass are to be found. Breeder
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