ASS, in zoology, is ranked as a species of equus, or horse. See EQUUS.
Coronation of the Ass, in antiquity, was a part of the ceremony of the feast of Vesta, wherein the bakers put bread crowns on the heads of these quadrupeds; Ecce coronatis panis dependet asellis *. Hence, in an ancient calendar, the idea of June are thus denoted; Festum est Vesta. Asinus coronatur!—This honour, it seems, was done the beast, because, by its braying, it had saved Vesta from being ravished by the Lampsecan god. Hence the formula, Vesta deliciarum est asinus.