THE TOORKEE RACES. 239 



natives of course pretend that they are descended 

 from Rustum's wonderful charger Ruksh, though 

 there is better evidence of the introduction in the 

 country of the first class of Arabian stallions by 

 Timur and Nadir Shah ; and the constant inter- 

 course with Arabia is still kept up by pilgrimage 

 and caravans. These horses bear the marks of de- 

 scent from the ancient grey stock, crossed with the 

 bay, in their grey and chestnut coats and general 

 make, and the presence of a third in the Karabulo 

 race of black horses, of ancient reputation for speed, 

 and not uncommonly found in oriental illuminated 

 books. * 



The Ashoo breed is mentioned in the legends of 

 India, but the most renowned we believe to be, at 

 present, 



The Tekeh, being the tallest, most hardy, and 

 warlike, and therefore preferred to the Arab, the 

 best being worth four hundred tomauns each. 



The Gorgum breed is reared in the desert east of 

 Asterabad, having the defective appearance of the 

 blood, but standing sixteen hands high, and remark- 

 to their bulk ; they are not well ribbed up, are long on the 

 legs, deficient in muscle, falling off below the knee, narrow- 

 chested, long-necked ; head large, uncouth, and seldom well 

 put on. Such was the impression," &c. But if these defects 

 were real, the horses could have neither durability nor speed. 



* See the Gottingen MSS. of the Shah-Nameh, and a book 

 of fables in Turkish, Brit. Mus. They always carry heroes and 

 chiefs. It was on one of these Selim, flying from his father 

 Bajazet, escaped to Varna. They have usually white feet and 

 a white star on the forehead. 



