NATURAL HISTORY. 166 



FOW, do thy speedy utmost, Meg, 



And win the key-stane ot the brig; 



There at them thou thy tail may toss, 



A running; stream they dare not cross.&quot; BURNS. 



pure grain, which in a state of nature the horse would never be 

 called upon to do, the grains frequently find their way Into 

 the stomach whole, and consequently yield comparatively little 

 or no nourishment. 



496. Why, when horses are early and hard- worked, do they 

 never arrive at their full size ? 



Because the earthy deposit of the bones is usually proportioned 

 to the wants of the animal, and is most abundant in those whose 

 exertions are considerable. But from this very circumstance, 

 when the animal is subjected to premature exertion, the consoli 

 dation of the bones becomes more complete before their softer 

 portion has increased to its full dimensions, and hence growth is 

 arrested. 



497. Why will a horse, if unchecked and unguided, find its 

 own way on a dark night ? 



Because its eye, in addition to being well adapted for vision 

 during the day, is, from the form of the retina, peculiarly adapted 

 to receive impressions by night. 



498. In the darkness of night, when the traveller knows not the way, and would 

 be incapable of reaching his home, his faithful horse will carry him in safety 

 through the most difficult places ; and be the path ever so intricate, and the 

 obstacles ever so many, if the rein is entirely given up, not a foot of his will slip or 

 be misplaced in the most difficult ground, and not one of the obstacles will he come 

 in contact with. This is a curious point in physiology, but it is as true as it is 

 worthy of admiration. The firm and entire hoof of the horse, even when shod 

 with iron, seems to acquire in the dark a sense of touch equal to the most delicate 

 finger ; and, though we cannot accour * for it, every hair upon the skin of 

 the animal appears to be instinct wit. all the senses necessary for guiding 

 him along, with the same certainty as though it were clear daylight all about him. 

 If the horse and the rider have been long acquainted with each other, and have 

 frequently made nocturnal journeys, it is of no consequence, if the journey is a 

 homeward one, whether the rider pays t e slightest attention to the matter or not ; 

 for there have baen many instances in which an old and trusty horse has carried 

 his rider asleep for a distance of more than twenty miles. There have been also 

 Instances of favourite ponies carrying blind musicians from house to house for the 

 purpose of giving lessons ; and indeed it would be impossible to em merate half the 



