Ass

[U. asinus.] An animal closely allied to the horse, inhabiting the mountainous deserts of Tartary and other parts of Asia. It is smaller than the horse, and has long ears, an upright mane, a tufted tail, a streak along the back and acro the shoulders, and gives a peculiarly harsh bray. The tame or domestic a is remark¬ ably hardy, patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. The skin is hard and elastic, and is used for covering drums, making pocket-books, parch¬ ment, etc. It is of a es’ skin that the Orientals make a kind of grained leather called shagreen.