leopards rarely engage in battle with it. They are quite
content to pounce upon the sickly members of the herd which have lagged
behind their companions, and are alone and defenseless; for if any enemy
attacks a herd, the sagacious animals at once form a circle, their heads
facing the centre, and begin such a lively battery with their heels that
the attacking party is glad to save himself by flight.

The mane of the zebra is thick, but very short, and forms an upright
fringe from its forehead down the back of its neck to its body. Its skin
is striped from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, and down its
legs to the hoof. The natives hunt it vigorously, as they prize its
beautiful skin for personal adornment, and its meat is favorite food.
They kill it with spears, or by pit-falls, in which the poor creatures
get entangled, and are easily dispatched.

Large numbers of the zebra are shot by Europeans, who are covetous of
its striped skin, while at the same time the meat gives abundant
provision to their native followers. Mr. Stanley thus describes the
killing of two of these beautiful creatures on the mountainous hunting
grounds of Kitangeh, near the east coast of Africa: "It was not until we
had walked briskly over a long stretch of tawny grass, crushed by sheer
force through a brambly jungle, and trampled down a path through clumps
of slender cane stalks, that we came at last in view of a small herd of
zebras. These animals are so quick of scent and ear, and so vigilant
with their eyes, that across an open space it is most difficult to stalk
them. But by dint of tremendous exertion I contrived to approach within
two hundred and fifty yards, taking advantage of every thin tussock of
grass, and, almost at random, fired. One of the herd leaped from the
ground, galloped a few short maddened strides, and then, on a sudden,
staggered, kneeled, trembled, and fell over, its legs kicking the air.
Its companions whinnied shrilly for their mate, and presently, wheeling
in circles with graceful motion, advanced nearer, still whinnying, until
I dropped another with a crushing ball through the head--much against my
wish, for I think zebras were created for a better purpose than to be
eaten."

The quagga and the dauw, both inhabitants of South Africa, resemble the
zebra, but are not so regularly striped nor so brilliant in coloring.
They are not so vicious in character, and are capable of being tamed.
The quagga is made use