Hybrids

Hagenbeck announces that the hybrids have arrived in Hamburg safely. He states that if Ewart would like them returned then he would sell the large ones for £40 each and the small one for £20. He has concluded that the Ibex skins are not a very good quality and so will send a better variety to him in the Spring.

Hagenbeck states that the British Consul are in the process of purchasing the hybrids 'Brenda' and 'Black Agnes'. He states that he will arrange shipment if Ewart covers costs and liaises with the Consul over prices.

Hagenbeck informs Ewart that the hybrids for the English government left Hamburg in good health, and he expects they will arrive in India in good condition. He states that 'Matopo' (a zebra stallion) is in his possession again (after being returned by a seller) but he has not been able to find a fault with him.

Hagenbeck mentions the zebras he has in exchange for 'Romulus' or the Exmoor hybrid and states that he is surprised to find that some people at the London Zoo consider the Przewalski's horse to be a mule. He states that he has sold 'Matopo' to Arthur Yates, refers to the Kiang pony and Korea stallion which he is trying to sell and writes of his anticipated delivery of East African zebras which he will train to harness.

Hagenbeck states that he would like 'Romulus', the Exmoor hybrid and Shetland pony, but that he can only take them in exchange. He says that he will assist the British government to send two stallions to Mombasa, and that he will try to sell the Kiang stallion for Arthur Cecil.

Hagenbeck requests that Ewart repay him some expenses incurred transporting two zebra hybrids to India. He also informs him that he is sending a wild ass from the Balkasch lake to the Duke of Bedford. He describes the animal, stating that to him it resembles a new species, and asks if Ewart would view it and offer his opinion.

Hagenbeck writes that he is sorry that Ewart has sold one of his hybrids. He would very much like the other two that are for sale for his St Louis expedition. He assures him that he will credit Ewart as being the first man to breed the hybrids.

Hagenbeck states that he is unable to tell Ewart where the mare that he sent to him was caught. He writes that it will be difficult to find a customer for the Przewalski's stallion but that he will try to find a buyer for Ewart's kiang/horse hybrids.

Sutherland alerts Ewart to the photograph of a peculiar looking mule which he asserts resembles a zebra, and which he wonders might merit some research. He provides some personal details and asks 'what is being done with 'Romulus'?' (Ewart's first zebra/horse hybrid).