466 



EGYPTIAN AND ARABIAN HOESES. 



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



8. Kabr on Kabr maftouli, Avliich translates '' fall open; " An ei)i 

 on loAver 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; 

 Avithout significance on stallion. 



5. Ranakat: V.pi^ on thi-oat near the trough, considered favorable 

 by some, unfavorable by others. 



C). ITedjab: Favorable epis situated on both sides of the Avindpipe. 

 T. C"liakk-el-djeib : Unlucky. 



8. Nichan-el-sidr: Favorable. 



9. El djeraid: Epi under the mane; faA'orable. 



10. Nichan-el-cherihah : Favorable. 



11. Nichan-el-dera : Insignificant Avhen the Avhite stocking docs not 

 reach it. 



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

 faA'orable. 



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

 sign Avill have trouble in foaling. 



14. Irmah : U'nlucky sign. 



15. Djennabat: Epis on the flanks. A\'itliout importance if cov- 

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



An epi raised on the middle of tire 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 Avhicli have epis on both sides of the tail are execrable ; they 

 are entirely bad Avhen these funestral signs — probably identical Avith 

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



The omens Avhich the Arabs draAv 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 Avithout any spot Avill 

 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 horse Avith a hard 

 cornea is not only sAvift, but very patient into the bargain, Avhile a 

 restiA'e animal has, as a rule, snudl eyes and narrow nostrils. Horses 

 Avith tawny hair around the ])asterns are good for breeding. 



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

 tered in the forehead. 



'' xVny horse Avliich has a Avhite star and no Avhite feet Avill carry you 

 to destruction. 



*' Horses with black spots on the mouth are unlucky. Avicked, and 

 inclined to bite and kick. 



