49 



or impede his movements. In tracing wild beasts it is often ne- 

 cessary to go unshod, and to throw the cloak aside, lest its motions 

 in the wind, or the noise of the buskins should start the game 

 prematurely. The times best adapted for hunting vary. Some- 

 times the morning, and at others the evening is to be pre- 

 ferred ; now the meridian heat, and again the moon's pale ray. 

 The season of spring, which protrudes the leaves of trees, or the 

 autumn which causes their decay, is most favourable for a whole 

 day's exercise. But in winter, the middle of the day should be 

 chosen ; and in summer the dawn of morning, when husbandmen 

 yoke the plough, or the evening, when shepherds pen their flocks. 

 The arms and apparatus of the chace, nets, poles, spears, and a 

 variety of instruments for which we have no corresponding terms 

 in English are here enumerated. Horses are preferable to mares, 

 because they are stronger, and less prone, in the season of love, 

 to disturb the game by neighing. The races of horses are as va- 

 ried as those of men. The one which is superior to all others 

 is distinguished by the loftiness of his head bending down from 

 an arched neck ; by the breadth of the space between his eyes, and 

 the clustering locks of his temples- His eye is keen and fiery — his 

 nostrils expanded — mouth wide — ears short — chest broad — back 

 long, and his mane curves and tosses like the plumes of the war- 

 rior's crest. The tail of sweepy length — the thiglis compact and 

 muscular — his legs long and taper, and as free from flesh as the 

 legs of the storm-footed stag ; — his hoof, which he lifts high fl'om 

 the gi'ound, dense, horny, and solid. 



Such, such be mine, unmatched in strength and speed. 

 The social, high-souled, battle-bearing steed! 



VOL. XIll. H 



