wherefore the Greek writers surname this animal dry and thirsty; and hence the lying story of Tacitus , concerning Moses and the children of Israel; who, he says, being ready to perish for want of water, Moses observed a flock of wild asses going from their pasture to a rock covered with trees, and followed them, taking it for herbage, and found large fountains of water.
And very pertinently are their eyes said to fail for want of food, and the sight of them grow dim, which is more or less the case of all creatures in such circumstances; but the rather is this observed of the wild ass, because, as an Arabic writer suggests, it is naturally very sharp and clear sighted.
De Animal. l. 2. c. 21. Hist. Animal. l. 8. c. 8. Histor. l. 5. c. 3. Damir apud Bochart. Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 3. c. 16. col.