4(36 EGYPTIAN AND ARABIAN HORSES. 



2. El-cherikaiii : Two epis situated above the eyes; favorable sign. 



?>. Kabr on Kabr inaftouh, which transhites ''fall open; " An ei)i 

 on lower front face, considered the most sinister of the signs and 

 known to all Arabs. 



4. Nadabat: Epis on both sides of lower jaw. Unlucky on a mare; 

 without significance on stallion. 



5. Eanakat: Epis on throat near the trough, considered favorable 

 by some, unfavorable by others. 



G. Hedjab: Favorable epis situated on both sides of the windpi])e. 



7. Chakk-el-djeib : Unlucky. 



8. Nichan-el-sidr : Eavorable. 



9. El djeraid: Epi under the mane; favorable. 



10. Nichan-el-cherihah : Favorable. 



11. Nichan-el-dera : Insignificant Avhen the white stocking does not 

 reach it. 



12. Nichan-el-sourrah or sabak : Epis on either side of the navel ; 

 favorable. 



13. Boch-nichan: On the buttocks; unlucky; mares bearing this 

 sign will have trouble in foaling. 



14. Irmah : Unlucky sign. 



15. Djennabat: Epis on the Hanks. AVithout importance if cov- 

 ered by the saddle, but reputed unlucky if left micovered. 



An epi raised on the middle of the forehead like a solitary palm 

 tree is a sign of great fortune and is called the " road to happiness." 



The '' hand of God," an epi on the upper front legs, prognosticates 

 a victory for its rider, while a curling of the hair on the haunches in- 

 dicates the reverse. 



Horses which have epis on both sides of the tail are execrable; they 

 are entirely bad when these funestral signs — probably identical with 

 those called Irmah (14) — are not balanced by some other signs. 



The omens which the Arabs draw from markings and other signs 

 on their horses are not less remarkable than the qualities and faults 

 they deduce from the epis. A black horse without any spot will 

 bring misfortune. A black stripe on the back from the neck to the 

 tail is an enviable sign. Black spots on the fetlock joint diminish by 

 at least one-half the value of a stallion or colt. The liorse with a hard 

 cornea is not only swift, but very patient into the bargain, while a 

 restive animal has, as a rule, small eyes and narrow nostrils. Horses 

 with tawny hair around the pasterns are good for breeding. 



'" Look out," says the Arab, " for spots which are not exactly cen- 

 tered in the forehead. 



" Any liorse which has a white star and no white feet will carry you 

 to'destruction. 



''Horses with black spots on (he mouth are unlucky, wicked, and 

 inclined to bite and kick. 



