240 THE TOORZEE RACES 



ably sinewy ; but both Arab mares and stall 'ons lire 

 now introduced among them, particularly on me 

 fixed studs and permanent residences, where their 

 figure improves ; still those of the desert retain pre- 

 eminence for use. Their long journeys are always 

 performed in a lengthened stride or a jog-trot. 



The Toorkmunee of the Lower Oxus are large 

 and spirited, much valued in Bokhara, where they 

 are put into condition about Nirk Merdaun, west of 

 Caubul, and then sold ; fetching from 20 to 100 

 sterling. 



The Ohuprastee (swift) and Karooghle (war) 

 horses are two Turkoman breeds of the vicinity of 

 Shurukhs, to the northward between Mushed and 

 Herat. 



The Aghubolah, on the Oxus, seems to be a fancy 

 breed, being most remarkable for a dimple or a 

 whorl on some part of the neck or body, which 

 among Asiatics is always an object of wonder, and 

 still more of good or evil omen. This fancy was 

 known to the ancients, and is still in some repute 

 among Spaniards, who call a line of feathering in 

 the hair of the neck, below the root of the mane, 

 Espada Romana ; that in the flank is called Daga, 

 and when double, it is Espada Condago. But what 

 is here principally in view is a depression or suture, 

 wifnout scar, in the neck or shoulder, not uncom- 

 mon among Turkish and Barbary horses ; the for- 

 mer in particular, considering this mark as of good 

 omen, pretending that it is a spear- wound received in 

 by a war-horse and perpetuated in his breed. 



