The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-07-19
INTERESTING FACTS
ABOUT THE ZEBRA.

Zebras have always had great at
traction for English feeling We look on
them as far the most beautiful wild ex-
ample OF the horse, and the horse Is un-
doubtedly the favorite animal OF English
men, says the London Spectator But the
zebras have what no horse has, natural
ornament In very high degree. They
are among the most elaborately decora-
ted OF all mammals. In the days when
no one knew much OF their habits the
skins were sold as those OF sea horses,
wonderful beings evidently constructed
in the salesman's imagination from the
pictures OF sea gods drawn by ilsh-tailed
steeds, with attendant sea-blue nymphs.
Recent mails from Africa have again
directed attention to the zebras. new
species has been discovered somewhere
on the borders OF the Congo forest. APP
parently a quagga with the stripes re-
versed; that is, instead OF being striped
on the head and shoulders, IL Is said to
have tawny head and back. and
striped belly and legs. The latest news as
TO zebras generally is the discovery of
that lie south OF Albert Nyanza, Albert
Edward Nyanza and the plateaux be-
tween the great lakes generally. They
are said TO be seen feeding like ponies i'm
field, and 10 have almost no fear of
man. as many OF the tribes which inhabit
the district are only vegetable feeders.
and do not even dig pitfalls for the
abounding game. Ii is this abundance OF
the natural wild horse OF the district
which has prompted Mr.. II. Stordy, NJ r.
c. V. s., TO write detailed recommen-
dation TO { e foreign office suggesting
the domestication OF the animals for
draught purposes in the fly country and
Central Africa generally
lie believes that the wild zebras could
easily be taken up In kraals, and the
foals regularly broken and used for do
mestic purposes. From these tame race
might be bred just as tame ostriches
are now perpetuated from a stock which
nifty years ago was wild on the African
deserts. There is not the slightest doubt
that this is the natural and sensible
thing to do wherever the climate or the
fy'-the similitude OF which enlarged
TO the size OF a rabbit In the Museum of
Natural History has instructed the pub
lie In its deadly effect on horses in a
very thorough manner-makes horse car |
some hardy animal larger than donkey |
shall se found.
The constitution OF all the zebras is as |
tonishingly robust. They are naturally |
iwellers on .gh plains and dry noun
tains. But they are found in the fy- |
haunted veldt OF East Central Africa. |
near Mombasa. In this country they live
,ut of doors through the winter and
Prof. Ewart's zebra hybrids were more
hardy than the ponies, and did well out
'n the PentlaL hills. They are thirsty
and need 10 drink twice day.
8ut they can live on very scanty food.
ma thrive on meagre plants OF the will
ierness. Their legs are clean, hard and
perfectly formed.
"One never finds crock or a lame one.
xcept from wounds, among a troop"
writes MIR. Anderson Dryden, and the feet
re models OF perfection. small, clean,
'erfectly shaped and as hard as fint.and
re evidently peculiarly adapted to the
Ugh, dry plains upon which these ami
nails make their homes. Their speed is
cry considerable. though probably II
aries with the condition OF the zebras.
when the grass is dry and hard they are
robably I'm better condition than when
he veldt Is covered with green succu-
mt food Mr.. Dryden considers that the !
urchelIs zebras gallop very fast and
cry well. Several times in tafI-on-
hases across the plains I have had 10 !
the pursuit az hopeless. al H.
nough well mounted for the South Afri-
an veldt
The cape hunting pony Is. however.
ways severely handicapped for the oc-
ision, with Its burden OF man. rife and
On level terms think n fair
orse would always beat the fastest ze-
ra that ever secured the plains. When
'bras are charged they do not gallon
breast but string out into file. like an ,,
lopes, with stallion leading"
All the enthusiastic descriptions Of the '
iiu horses on the pampas or on tho a
eppe can be paralleled by the piotures ! :
avn by delighted hunters and travellers. J
en- well used 10 see and Judge the com /,
'rauve beauty OF animals. OF the wild !
bras. IL Is natural enough, for the ze- !
a is far handsomer and better buiit .
eature either than the half-wild Monies I
the Don or the fddle-headed. dusty 7
okine bronchos. The mountain zebra !
hich II really mountaineering species !,
pears 10 even greater advantage. IL is
home among the crsgs and precipices y
the high stony mountains, only NOT =
ow-coyered because the snow line OF =
2 dry and hot South Africa is higher n
an ours. II u BY no n. ssns so scarce :,