Introduction xvii 



in Europe, in Africa, and in Asia; that 

 Arabia is not only the original climate 

 for horses, but the best suited for their 

 constitution, since, instead of crossing 

 the breed with foreign horses, the natives 

 anxiously preserve the purity of their own 

 race; that, at least if Arabia be not the 

 best climate for horses, the Arabs have 

 produced the same effect, by the scrupu- 

 lous and particular attention they have 

 paid toward ennobling their race, and 

 never permitting individuals to mix, 

 which were not most beautiful and 

 of finest quality; and that, by the 

 same attention continued for ages, they 

 have improved the species far beyond 

 what nature would have performed in the 

 most favourable climate." 



These words, written a century ago, 

 may well serve as introduction in present- 

 ing the subject to be considered in the 

 pages of this book. The sources of 

 Morland's information are unknown to 

 the present writer. That he was well 

 informed, will, it is believed, become 

 apparent in what is to follow. 



Professor Osborn, in his Preface, calls 



