JAPANESE PONIES. 639 



instead of shoes, wore straw sandals (Fig. 606), which 

 lasted only about a day. In the main island are used 

 a large number of imported Mongolian ponies, which, 

 being thick-set and short on the leg, differ a great deal 

 from the indigenous animals, the best of which come 

 from the province of Namba. There are several half- 

 breeds which have been produced by a cross with English 

 or American blood, and which show an advance in 

 height and speed as compared with their local ancestors 

 and with Mongolians. The Nippon Race Club has a very 

 nice course on the Negishi Hill, which is about three 

 miles from Yokohama. In the northern island (Hokkaido 

 or Zeze) there is a distinct breed of ponies, which are 

 weak and weedy. 



