224 THE MAMMALIA. 



breed, especially with the famous stud at Graditz 

 near Torgan, was systematically encouraged in the 

 districts on the Elbe in Saxony. 



The heavy horse of Central Germany has been 

 termed the Equus caballus germanicus by Sanson, 

 and by Pietrement after him. There were only 

 uncertain conjectures as to its origin, yet the 

 general opinion appeared to be that, like all the 

 medium-sized and larger European races, it was of 

 Asiatic origin, and that it had been tamed and 

 introduced by different nomadic tribes in prehistoric 

 times. 1 This question, which claims our whole 

 interest, for it affects the history of the noblest of 

 our domestic animals, has advanced one stage in 

 clearness. Nehring has undeniably proved that a 

 Diluvial horse of Central Germany numerous re- 

 mains of which have been discovered at Westeregeln 



1 ' The Roman authors, Caesar in particular, distinguish in 

 Gaul and Germany between a native race of horses, which was 

 small and unremarkable although hardy, and between foreign 

 breeds that were larger and nobler in appearance. And many 

 other writers of ancient and later times speak of foreign horses 

 in contradistinction to the native breeds, so that there is, pro- 

 bably, no doubt that there existed in those days, in Germany, 

 two races strikingly different in outer appearance. That the 

 small native race must be traced to the tamed wild horse of 

 Europe, may probably be considered as certain, so that the only 

 remaining question is, of what origin was that foreign horse, and 

 whence did it come to us ?'' Al. Ecker. 



