DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0185
SAGACITY OF MULES.
159
hours. I must however, observe, that this phenomenon
never appears but when the aqueous particles of the cloud
are frozen.”
Ulloa observes, that the roads over some of these moun-
tains are not the least of those many extraordinary particu-
lars relating to them. These are in many places so narrow,
that the mules have scarcely room to set their feet, and in
others there is a continued series of precipices. These roads
are likewise full of holes, near three quarters of a yard deep,
into which the mules put their fore and hind feet, whence
they sometimes draw their bellies, and their rider’s legs
along the ground. These holes indeed serve as steps, with-
out which the precipices would be in- a manner impassable;
but, should the mule happen to put his feet between two
of these holes, or not place them right, the rider falls ; and,
if on the side of the precipice, inevitably perishes. But the
manner of descending appears more dangerous. On one
side are frequently abysses, and as they generally follow the
direction of the mountain, the road, instead of being on a
level, forms steep eminences and declivities. The mules
are sensible of the caution necessary in these descents ; for,
coming to the top of an eminence, they stop, and having
placed their fore feet close together, put their hind feet a
little forwards, as if going to lie down. Having in this atti-
tude taken a survey of the road, they slide down with the swift-
ness of a meteor. All the rider has to do is to keep himself
fast in the saddle; for the least motion is sufficient to disorder
the equilibrium of the mule, in which case, they both unavoid-
ably perish. “Nothing,” says our author, “ can be more
amazing than the animal’s address on this occasion; for during
this rapid motion, when he seems to have lost all govern-
ment of himself, he follows, with the utmost exactness, the
different windings of the road, as if he had accurately settled
in his mind, all the turnings he was to follow, and taken
every precaution for his safety. Yet the longest practice in
159
hours. I must however, observe, that this phenomenon
never appears but when the aqueous particles of the cloud
are frozen.”
Ulloa observes, that the roads over some of these moun-
tains are not the least of those many extraordinary particu-
lars relating to them. These are in many places so narrow,
that the mules have scarcely room to set their feet, and in
others there is a continued series of precipices. These roads
are likewise full of holes, near three quarters of a yard deep,
into which the mules put their fore and hind feet, whence
they sometimes draw their bellies, and their rider’s legs
along the ground. These holes indeed serve as steps, with-
out which the precipices would be in- a manner impassable;
but, should the mule happen to put his feet between two
of these holes, or not place them right, the rider falls ; and,
if on the side of the precipice, inevitably perishes. But the
manner of descending appears more dangerous. On one
side are frequently abysses, and as they generally follow the
direction of the mountain, the road, instead of being on a
level, forms steep eminences and declivities. The mules
are sensible of the caution necessary in these descents ; for,
coming to the top of an eminence, they stop, and having
placed their fore feet close together, put their hind feet a
little forwards, as if going to lie down. Having in this atti-
tude taken a survey of the road, they slide down with the swift-
ness of a meteor. All the rider has to do is to keep himself
fast in the saddle; for the least motion is sufficient to disorder
the equilibrium of the mule, in which case, they both unavoid-
ably perish. “Nothing,” says our author, “ can be more
amazing than the animal’s address on this occasion; for during
this rapid motion, when he seems to have lost all govern-
ment of himself, he follows, with the utmost exactness, the
different windings of the road, as if he had accurately settled
in his mind, all the turnings he was to follow, and taken
every precaution for his safety. Yet the longest practice in