Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-10-14

Experiments I'm Demonstrating IN
Queer Ltfsie Animals

Expcrimcnta I'm Demonstrating tho
Queer I.issle Animals
The prevalent notion about the zebra
Il that IL IL 80 untamable a. TO be of no
practical use TO man. Experiments
show that this IL On erroneous notion.
In number Of instances IL has been
redrced 10 docility In Europe. but no
attempt has been made TO Impress IL
into the servieeable bondage with
which we are familiar In the horse.
That complete tractability for the pnr-
pose of labor II not impossible, and IL.
indeed. hopeful. IL being shown In the
TrHnsvaal. where y firm engaged ia
the coaching business between Pretoria
and Fort Tuli. In Mashonsland, have
actually eight zebras In harness and
four of them regularly employed in
drawing q coach These animals were
capturned by the lasso. and In q few
months four hsd been 50 trained that
they were perfectly quiet and willing
In harness. while the others arc beeom-
ing habituated. TO restraint and win in
time be fully under control II.
stephens. who gives an account of the
experiment In the Field. says Messrs-
Seedesberg arc thus far satisfied and
will endeavor to substitute zebras for
mules In dragging their coaches
These very graceful striped quadrupeds
are no doubt feeter of foot ,han the
mule and perhaps as swift as the horse.
but there II an important superiority
over both that they possess They en-
10Y absolute immunity from that very
fatal ailment of South Africa vaguely
called horse sickness. which In = single
night In low country kills . horse or
mule turned out on the veldt. The loss
from this cause Is q heavy item In tho
expenses of South African liv-ry
stable. IL II found that the zebra
does not kick and Is gently snenabls
TO the rein by having q soft north A
tendency TO bite l. the one vice they
have. but this they cease TO practice
when not afraid OF being hurt.
II h the intention OF the firm 10 Az
tempt cross-breeding with horses. The
result win be awaited with consider
able interest. A new hybrid Of hope
ful stamina and qualities for harness
or the saddle may confidently be ex-
pestcd. and perhaps the sombcr un-
eouthness OF the cross between the
horse and ass viii be overcome and re-
placed by graees Of form and charms
Of color. IL seems strange that It
should be left until to-day 10 essay the
domestication of the zebra. The horse
and a<s have 40 long been pressed into
service that the original habitat Of
both l. disputed They either come
from Asia or Africa But the fossil
horse Is also found in America. and
some Of the types go 80 far back in
geological time as to suggest that the
horse had It's origin on the American
continent But when Columbus land
ed the horse was unknown and all the
troops OF Wild coursers have descended
from domesticated breeds which hare
escaped from control South Africa
produces not only the zebra but the
quagga and the dauw. congcners
which might also prove Of use In CROSS
ing. Both have been domestlca Ted.
but the experiment has not been car
ried 10 practical utility. The oppor-
tunlty 10 introduce the quagYa "a =
hybrid or pure bred has almost been
lost. a. the animal u either extinct or
very scarce. The dauw Il adapted 10
life on the plains and still roams in
great herds north Of the Orange river.