Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-05
NEW DRAUCHT ANIMAL
Proposed Demonstration of
Abyssinian zebras.
SEN T BY MEN ELK
BIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS TO BE
TRIED HERE.
Antiquity Of the Mule-Equipages of
Royalty-Automobiles Preferred by
Modern Kings-Auto Courtship.
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Secretary Wilson and the officials of the
bureau Of animal industry of the Agricul
| tural Department, with the cooperation of
DR.. Frank Baker, superintendent of the
National Geological Park. are about to
gage in the most curious geological expert
ment that was ever undertaken by a gov
eminent. The Germans are making prepa-
ratiOns for similar experiment, and the
Congo Free State, In Africa, will also at
tempt it. Robert P. Skinner, United States
consul general at Marseille. who was
Gently sent to Abyssina to make treaty
with that government has obtained,
through the Ras Makonnen at Herar,
Africa, a pair Of Grevy zebra stations.
They are large. powerful and comparatively
rare animals. which range in a wild state
in the Abyssinian forests. Mr.. Skinner en-
deaVored to secure one while he was in that
country, but there were none in captivity
at that time. Since then the Emperor Men
elek has had his forest rangers searching
for Zebras and the first pair that were
captured are now on their way to Mr.. Skin
ner at Marseiile, whence they will be
shipped to New York. The Department of
State has been advised of the shipment.
A New Draught Animal
By crossing these zebras with the Ameri-
can horse and the American mule it is pro-
posed to create entirely new breed of
draught animals, which, it is believed, will
exceed in speed, strength and endurance
every variety of the horse or the mule
which we now have in existence. The ex-
periments will be conducted at the Wash
ington Zoo. under the direction of Supt.
Baker and the biologists of the Agricultural
Department. They will be watched with
the greatest interest by biologists and live
stock men all over the world. Secretary
Wilson Is advised that the authorities of
the German possessions in South Africa
have been endeavoring to domesticate the
zebra and use 1t for cross-breeding, be-
cause it is proof against the ''teste."
African fly. whose bite will kill horse
mule, but does not injure zebra. This fly
prevails in the German colonies in Africa
and has caused a great deal of trouble. 1t
is believed that half-breed zebra will be
as much immune from it's effects as full
bred animal; hence the experiment is
sfdered worth trying. The German authori-
ties recognize, also. the necessity of pro-
vfding some beast of burden that can en-
dure the climate of Central Africa, for
neither horses, mules nor oxen thrive there
CarfbOus. or water buffalo, from the East
Indies. endure the climate much better, but
tho zebra, which Is a native of that zone,
would be even more useful IL 1t could be
domesticated.
Needed In Interior Africa.
The inhabitants of the Congo Free State,
and indeed the communities all along the
Congo river. which is now being rapidly
settled and civilized feel a similar need of
work and transportation animals, particu-
larly because 1t is now almost impossible
to obtain negro bearers to carry the freight
from the rivers into the interior Until re-
Gently all portage and interior transporta-
ton was done by natives. but having
learned other methods of making a living
they are seeking lighter labor. and the
transportation of freight has become a
serious problem Horses, mules and oxen
do not thrive in that climate any better
than In the German provinces; hence, last
spring the government sent an expedition
into the jungles In the southeastern part
OF the state to capture wild zebras and
drive them up to the capital. large herd
was found. and two or three hundred fine
animals are now being broken to harness.
1t Is said that they prove tractabie and are
very intelligent They have greater
strength. better speed and more endurance
than any draught animals that have ever
been used in that climate.
The mule, as you know. is cross be-
tween the ass and the horse, orig naiiy
made in the days OF Abraham and Isaac,
cry OF the mule Is related in Genesis xxxvi:
"A, where, relating the genealogy of Esau.
IT says that Allah and Amah were the
children Of Zibeon. "and this was the
Amah that found the mules In the wilder
ness as he fed the asses of Zibeon, his
father" The ass Is spoken of much earlier.
In Genesis xif16 we read that Abraham
had sheep and oxen and he-asses and man.
servants and maid-servants. and she-asses
and cameis:" and In Genesis xxii:3 we read
that Abraham rose up early in the morn
ing and saddled his ass and took two of
his young men with him. and Isaac. his son.
and ciaye the woods for the burnt Offer
ing" You will remember that Balaam's
ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in
the way and rebuked his rider for brutality.
Samson used the jawbone of an ass as a
weapon. and in his mighty hand Ii was
more effective than 13-inch battery on a
modern battleship.
Absaiom rode a mule. land the mule