THE ROMAN HORSE. 3 
which have not both jaws equally sensitive, are likely to be hard-mouthed 
on one side or the other. And itis better that a horse should have promi- 
nent than hollow eyes, for such a one will see to a greater distance. And 
widely-opened nostrils are far better for respiration than narrow, and they 
give the horse a fiercer aspect ; for when one stallion is enraged against 
another, or if he become angry while being ridden, he expands his 
nostrils to their full width. And the loftier the crest, and smaller the ears, 
the more horse-like and handsome is the head rendered; while lofty 
withers give the rider a surer seat, and produce a firmer adhesion between 
the body and shoulder. A double loin is also softer to sit upon, and 
pleasanter to look at, than if it be single; and a deep side, rounded 
toward the belly, renders the horse easier to sit, and stronger, and more 
easy to keep in condition. The shorter and broader the loin, the more 
easily will the horse raise his fore-quarters and collect his hind-quarters 
under him in going. These points, moreover, cause the belly to appear 
the smaller ; which, if it be large, at once injures the appearance of the 
animal, and renders nim weaker and less manageable. The quarters should 
be broad and fleshy, in order to correspond with the sides and chest ; and, 
should they be entirely firm and solid, they would be the lighter in the 
gallop, and the horse would be the speedier. But if he should have his 
buttocks separated under the tail by a broad line, he will bring his hind 
legs under him with a wider space between them, and, so doing, he will 
have a prouder and stronger gait and action, and will in all respects be the 
better on them.” 
Here we have described, in most exact terms, a cobby but spirited and 
corky horse, with a light and somewhat-peculiar carriage of the head and 
neck, just as we see represented in the Elgin marbles. 
THE ROMAN HORSE. 
Or tHE Roman Horse we know far less than of that of the Greeks ; 
but the fact of its inferiority to those of the surrounding nations is 
established, for no sooner were they brought into collision with the 
cavalry of Macedonia and Epirus than they succumbed. This could 
only be owing to the quadruped, for the Roman foot-soldier was still 
unmatched. Cssar depended for his cavalry upon Gallic horses, which 
were able to ride down the Roman horses of his rival Pompey without 
the slightest difficulty. So also Crassus was unable to make head in Asia 
against the Parthian horse ; and from his day until British horses were 
transported to Oriental soil, the superiority of Asiatic horses remained 
undisputed. 
THE ARAB OF ANTIQUITY. 
Tar ARAB OF THE PRESENT DAY is said by his countrymen to be the 
same in form, in courage, and in endurance, with the horse which existed 
in Arabia before the time of Christ. I have shown that there is every 
reason to believe that the Israelites who dwelt in Arabia had no horses 
in the time of Jacob, and therefore it is scarcely likely that this variety 
_ could have arrived at its present state of excellence much before the 
commencement of the Christian era. But beyond the traditional accounts 
which are preserved in the various tribes, there is no means of arriving 
at the truth, and they are to be regarded with considerable suspicion. 
Buffon comes to the conclusion, nevertheless, that Arabia is the birthplace 
of this animal, and his opinions are followed by a host of subsequent 
B2 
