Mule, or Equus Mulus, a mongrel kind of quadrupeds, partaking both of the nature of a horse and an ass.

Mules are very hardy animals, and therefore much used in warm climates, where they are preferred to horses, for the purposes of either draught or carriage. Considerable numbers are likewise employed in Ireland, and in some of the northern counties of Britain, on account of their great strength and durability.

These animals sometimes attain the height of 15 or 16 hands; though, in general, they do not exceed 14. When in good condition, they are worth from 20 to 40, and even 501. each, being particularly Calculated for carrying heavy burthens They are, besides, surefooted, and attain a great age ; instances of mules thirty years old, having occurred in Ireland, and which, nevertheless, were in the full possession of their vigour.

The mules bred in cold coun-tries, are reputed to be more hardy, End tit tor labour, than such as a reared in warm climates. Hence they deserve to be more generally propagated in Britain. For this purpose, however, it will be requisite previously to procure a strong male ass, and two females, which should be well fed and kept in good order. Their colts ought, likewise, to be carefully attended, fed, and littered, being kept under shelter in the winter, and the stable-door left open in the summer, that the animals may exercise themselves in the air, for one or two hours, during the middle of the day. By such management, the breed of colts will be considerably improved; and, at the end of three years, the males will be fit for the purpose. The mares se-lected for the stud, should be young, of a lively turn, small limbed, and with a head of a moderate size. These, with proper attention, will drop foals ; each of which, at the age of three months, are said to be worth from ten to twenty guineas.

During the first winter, it will be necessary to house the mule colts, so that they may be frequently handled, in order to render them tractable. When three years old, they may be broken in, but it will not be advisable to work them to any considerable extent, till they have attained the fourth year of their age; after which time they will, if properly treated, continue in full vigour till they are past thirty, and even forty years.- It should, however, be remarked, that no wheat, or rye-straw, ought to be given them for their food, whether whole or cut; as it greatly disagrees with their nature, and incapacitates them for performing hard labour, - By the 38th Geo. III. c 41, $ 2, the $ 2, the sum of 6s. is made payable for every mule, horse, mare, or gelding kept by any person, and not charged with any other duty. Exceptions, however, are made in favour of post-horses, and others, which being unconnected with domestic economy, we forbear to specify.

Mule, a term which denotes any production, whether of the animal, or vegetable creation, that originates from two different species.

Thus, beside the animals properly denominated mules, it appears, that the different breeds of sheep may be advantageously cross- ed.—LInnAeUS observes, that the breed from Swedish ewes and Spanish rams, resembled the Spanish sheep in wool, stature, and external appearance; but was, in all respects, as hardy as the Swedish sheep : the contrary effect resulted from Swedish rams and Spanish ewes. He farther remarks, that an English ram without horns, and a Swedish horned ewe, produced sheep destitute of that ornament. These facts are equally curious and valuable: they require no commentary, to recommend them to the attention of breeders in general.

The vegetable mules are very numerous; and, by scattering the farina, or fecundating dust, over female flowers, several excellent varieties have often been obtained. - Thus, in the first volume of the Letters and Papers of the Bath and West of England Society, we meet with an interesting account of a mule-cabbage, which is said to fatten cattle six weeks earlier than turnips. The correspondent states, that the sort of cabbage principally raised, is the Tallow-loaf or Drum-headed Cabbage; which being too tender to withstand the severity of the frost, he planted some of this species and of the common Purple Cabbage for pickling, alternately : when the seed-pods were perfectly formed, he cut down the purple, and left the other for seed. The result completely answered his expectations ; namely, the produce was a mixed stock, of a deep green, colour, with purple veins; and which retained the size of the drum-head, while It acquired all the hardiness of the purple. This is one of the most successful experiments with respect to vegetable improvements : and, without quot-ing other instances, related in the subsequent volumes of the same valuable collection, as well as in other works, we trust these few facts sufficiently evince the practicability of the plan ; and hope they will not be disregarded ; because such attempts not only tend to enrich our practical knowledge, but at the same time afford additional proofs of the wisdom, and beauties, of the creation.