312 MAMMALIA — HORSE. 



Of those which have returned to the wild state, such as the numerous 

 herds of South America, the appearance is not prepossessing, according 

 to the ideas which have been formed of the symmetry of the domestic 

 varieties. 



The different races of the horse are numerous, most of the principal coun- 

 tries in the world possessing breeds peculiar to themselves. But the 

 Arabian race has long been considered as the noblest of the species, and as 

 combining the qualities of endurance, vigor, and temper, in a higher degree 

 than any of the other varieties. As breeders of horses have ascertained 

 that the qualities of the Arabian horse may be perpetuated in his descend- 

 ants, in the countries of Europe, where attention is paid to the raising of 

 this valuable animal, for various purposes, the deterioration which a north- 

 ern climate induces in a native of warmer latitudes, is counteracted by 

 crossing with the original breed. From the importation of the pure breed 

 of Arabia into Europe, and the different crossings of these and their de- 

 scendants with the native breeds, has arisen all that variety of appearance 

 and qualities of the horse, which fits them for heavy draughts, the plough, 

 or the saddle. 



It is in England chiefly, however, that the cultivation and education of 

 the horse has been carried to its greatest refinement, and in France are 

 local races, admirably adapted to the different purposes which agriculture, 

 or commerce, or luxury may demand. The first is the race horse, immedi- 

 ately proceeding from an Arabian or Barbary stallion, with an English mare 

 already crossed with a Barb or Arab, in the first degree, or the result of two 

 crossings in the same degree. This breed is termed first blood, or the 

 nearest possible to the original stock; and in the quality of speed it is not 

 probable that it can ever be exceeded. The next is the hunter, the result 

 of crossing a stallion of the first blood with a mare of a degree less near the 

 original source. The third, is the cross between the hunter and the more 

 common mares, which, uniting the stronger limbs and heavier bodies of the 

 indigenous races to the qualities of the Arabian, produce the British car- 

 riage horses ; and the great dray horse, whose gigantic proportions and 

 immense power of draught can scarcely be surpassed, are the produce of this 

 last with the strongest mares of the country breed. And it is a curious 

 circumstance, that, in the mixture of all these races, the influence of the 

 Arab blood is observable, either in the conformation of some peculiar parts, 

 or the preservation of some peculiar qualities. The Persian, Barbary, and 

 Turkish horses are those which come nearest to the Arabian in conforma- 

 tion and qualities, and the Spanish horses long enjoyed a high character in 

 Europe, probably from the breed being kept up by the intermixture of the 

 horses of Barbary. In France are numerous varieties, and most of them 

 very serviceable animals. The other European races, it would be impossi- 

 ble to enumerate here. 



