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 ides of June are thus denoted; Vestum 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 Lamp-facian god. Hence the formula, Vestie delicium est asinus.