The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-18
Some Inhabitants Of Africa.

IVY dhu siia NuD uafe Nlalteu ihcuuGef-
les have probably seen an animal shaped
something like a horse, but beautifully
adornedwith black and tawny stripes, stand
ing silent and sulky in its cage. This is the
zebra, thewild horse Of the great plains OF
Southern Africa. There it lives 10 great
herds and browses on the thin grass and
low shrubs of the wilderness. It enjoys
the widest liberty, aud gallops and gam
bols merrily with It's companions through
regions where the foot Of man rarely pene.
trates. il is not strange that when cap
turcd it refuses to be tanned, aud retains
its wild nature TO the end. There are.
hcSever, exceptions to this rule. There
are at present, pair Of zebras in the
Garden of Plants, at Paris, which, BY the
constant care and kindness of their young
keeper, have gradually come to show
great affection for him, aud win even allow
him 10 harness them to little carriage and
drive them about the streets of Paris.
The zebra's chief weapons Of defence arc
its lively little heels, which it uses vigorous
lywhen attacked. II is very wild and
cunning beast, and as its sharp ears detect
the slightest rustling among the bushes,
it is very difficult TO approach. The
hyenas leave the zebra in peace, and even
lions and leopards rarely engage ia battle
with il. They are quite content to pounce
upon the sickly members Of the herd which
have Jagged behind tLeir companions, and
are alone and defencsless; for If any enemy
attacks a herd, the sagacious aninals al
once form circle, their heads facing the
centre, aud begin such lively battery
with their heels that the attacking party
is glad to save himself by flight. The name
Of the zebra is thick, bat very short, and
forms an upright fringe from It's forehead
down the back Of It's neck to its body.
Its skin is striped from the tip Of is
nose TO the end Of its tail, and down lis legs
to the hoof The natives hunt it vigorous
y, as they prize its beautiful skin for per
sonal adornmenis, and its meat is favorite
food. They kill it with spears, or by pit.
falls, in which the poor creatures get en-
tangled and are easily despatched
Large numbers Of zebras are shot by
Europeans, who are enyious Of lis striped
skin, while atthe same time the meat gives
abundant provision to their native follow.
ers. Mr.. Stanley thus describes the killing
Of two Of these beautiful creatures on the
mountainous hunting grounds of Kitaugeh
near the east coast of Africa: HIt was not
until we had walked briskly over long
stretch Of tawuy grass, crushed by sheer
force through brambly jungle, and tram
Piled down a path through clumps Of slen-
der cane stalks, that we came at last 10
view Of a small herd Of zebras. These
animals are so quick Of scent and ear, aud
so vigihnt with their eyes, that across an
open space il is most difficult TO stalk them.
But by dint Of tremendous exertion con :
trived to approach within $50 yards, taking
advantage Of every thin tussock Of grass,
and almost at random, fred. One of the
herd ieaped from the ground, galloped a
few short maddened strides, and then on
sudden, staggered, kneelod, trembled and
fell over, its legs kicking the air. It's com
panions whinned shriIly for their mate,
aud presently, wheeling in circles with
graceful motion, advanced nearer, still
whining, until dropped another with a
crushing ball through the head, much
against my wish, for | think zebras we're
created for better purpose than to be
eaten.
The quagga and the dauw, both inhabi.
tants Of South Africa, resemble the zebra.
but are not SO regularly striped nor SO
brilliant in coloring. They are not 80
vicious 10 character, aud are capable Of
being tanned. The quagga is made useful
by the settlers near the Cape Of Good Hope.
A settler once captured zebra when il
was colt. The animal accustomed itself
to captivity, aud appeared SO good natured
that its owner thought to make it as use
full as the quagga. As trial be bridled
IL one day and jumped on It's buck. The
animal at once began to rear furiously. and
rushed with its rider into deep river.
The man clung desperately to the furious
little beast, aud was safely carried to the
shore. But when be dismounted, the
zebra turned in rage, aud suddenly bit
his ear off After that he concluded to
remain content with his quagga There
are many kinds Of large quadrupeds In
Africa, some Of which are native to no
other couatry. Besides the three mem
bers Of the zebra fnmily, there is the harm
less, shy giraffe, with its beautiful spotted
body, its long, slender neck, and its deli
cate head, which it carries 10 feet or more
from the ground This graceful animal
is also hunted by the natives for its soft
skin aud its delicate flesh, which is ccusid-
cred as great dainty at royal Afr;cln
feast. m