118 THE HORSE. 



If they were unrolled they would present a very considerable surface ; 

 and on every part of them is spread the substance or the pulp of the olfac- 

 >jory, or first pair of nerves. These bones, lined with delicate membranes, 

 and covered by the olfactory nerves, are the scat of smelt : and they are 

 thus expanded, because the sense of smell in the horse must, to a very 

 considerable degree, supply the place of the sense of touch and the lessons 

 of experience in the human being. By this alone is he enabled to select, 

 among the nutritive and poisonous herbage of the meadow, that which would 

 support and not destroy him. The troops of wild horses are said to smell 

 the approach of an enemy at a very considerable distance. In his domestic 

 state the horse does not examine the different food which is placed before 

 him, with his eye, but with his nose ; and if the smell displeases him, no 

 coaxing will induce him to eat it. He examines a stranger by the smell, 

 and, by very intelligible signs, expresses the opinion which he forms of him 

 by this inquisition. The horse will evidently recognise his favourite groom 

 when he has nothing else to indicate his approach but the sense of smell. 

 These cavities are likewise organs of voice. The sound reverberates 

 through them, and increases in loudness, as through the windings of a 

 French horn. 



The exteusion of the nostrils at the lower part of these cavities is an 

 important part of the face, and intimately connected with breeding, courage, 

 and speed. The horse can breathe only through the nose. All the uir 

 which goes to and returns from the lungs must pass through the nostrils. la 

 the common act of breathing, these are sufficiently large ; but when the 

 animal is put on his speed, and the respiration is quickened, these passages 

 must dilate, or he will be much distressed. The expanded nostril is a strik- 

 ing feature in a blood-horse, especially when he has been excited and not 

 over-blown. The sporting man will not forget the sudden effect which is 

 given to the countenance of the hunter, when his ears become erect, and his 

 nostrils dilate as he first hears the cry of the hounds, and snorts, and scents 

 them afar off; and the painful and spasmed stretching of this part, in the 

 poor over-driven post-horse, will show how necessary it is that the passage 

 to the lungs should be free and open. The nostril should not only be large, 

 but the skin and substance which covers the entrance into nose should be 

 thin and elastic, that they may more readily yield, when the necessity of 

 the animal requires a greater supply of air, and afterwards return to their 

 natural dimensions. Therefore, nature, which adapts the animal to his 

 situation and use, has given to the cart-horse, that is seldom blown, a con- 

 fined nostril, and surrounded by much cellular substance, and a thick skin ; 

 and to the horse of more breeding, whose use consists in his speed and his 

 continuance, a wider nostril, and much more flexible. 



The inhabitants of some countries were accustomed to slit the nostrils 

 of their horses, that they might be less distressed in the severe and long- 

 continued exertion of their speed. The Icelanders do so to the present day. 

 There is no necessity for this, for nature has made ample provision for all the 

 ordinary and even extraordinary exertions we can require from the horse.* 

 Some very powerful muscles proceed from different parts of the face, to the 

 neighbourhood of the nostrils, to draw them back and dilate them. Foui 

 of them are given in this cut, which is introduced here to complete our 



* De Grey, whoee " Complete Horseman" was published in 1657, recommends that a 

 Btumbling or crippled horse should have hie nose cut open, and tlie two tendons which g0- 

 to the lip divided; and "this," says he, "will g-ive him the use of his leg-s so perfectly, 

 as that he will seldom or never trip any more." Farriers adopt many absurd and cruei 

 practicea now.a-days, but nothing half so barbarous as this. 



