168 THE REASON WHY ! 



" This said, his brass-Aoo/e^ winged horse he did to chariot binde, 

 Whose crest was fring'd with manes if gold, and golden garments sbin'd.* 



THK ILIAD. 



504. "When these animal come to one of the descents alluded to, they stop of 

 themselves, without being checked by the rider; and, if he inadvertently 

 attempt to spur them on, they remain immoveable. They seem to contemplate 

 the danger which lies before them, and prepare themselves for the difficulty. They 

 not only attentively view the road, but will sometimes tremble and snort at the 

 danger. Having prepared for their descent, they place their fore feet in a posture 

 as if they were stopping themselves ; they then also put their hinder feet together, 

 but a little forward, as if they were about to lie down; then, moving with 

 unerring caution, they proceed forward. 



505. 1VTiy are the- zebra and onaga found in hilly and 

 mountainous places ? 



Because, although closely allied to horses and quaggas, which 

 are never found but on 

 plains, their hoofs are 

 differently formed, being 

 adapted to the nature of 

 the footing afforded by 

 hilly and mountainous 

 districts. 



The hoofs of horses are 

 round and flat ; in the ass 

 they are oval and hollow, 

 and in zebras and onagas 

 they are oval at the toe, 

 and square at the heel, by 

 the spreading of that part 

 which is termed the " frog." 

 This causes the limb to 

 stand more vertically upon 

 the postern, and gives a 

 sharp, firm tread upon 

 declivities. 



606. The zebra is, perhaps, of all quadrupeds the best made and the most beauti- 

 fully clad by the hand of nature. To the figure and graces of the horse, it adds the 

 elegance of the stag; and the black and white bands with which its body is 

 ornamented are arranged with such wonderful symmetry that we might almost b 



