33 



served to denote both fast sailing vessels and swift Horses. Of the pe- 

 digrees also of their Horses, the ancients were as tenacious, and as 

 scrupulous, as of those of their own fanii4ies ; and in order to the preven- 

 tion of frauds, either the initial letters of the proprietor of the stud, 

 or the figures of animals were branded upon the flesh of the Horse, or 

 some similar device was used, a practice which still subsists in Arabia, 

 and all the breeding countries of the East. Names for the Horses were 

 a matter of course, or rather a necessary appendage to this system ; and 

 we find in Homer, that tAvo of the Horses of Achilles were named 

 Xanlhus and Baliiis. The famous Mare, the property of Phidolas the 

 Corinthian, which won at the Olympic games without her rider, ran 

 in the name of Aura. Others were called Arion, Phcenix, Corviis ; and 

 amongst both the Greeks and the Romans, the same variety of denomi- 

 nation was in use, as in our modern racing studs, the names being 

 oflen expressive of the colour, qualities or country of the Horse; thus, 

 among the ancient Roman names, we observe Victor, Mgyptus, Volucer, 

 Niger, Siqjerhus. 



But the ancients had more extensive views in cultivating and im- 

 proving the breed of the Courser or Race Horse, than subsist in 

 modern times. Amongst them, this species of the Horse was exclusively 

 made use of in Avar, as well to draAV their chariots as to mount their 

 horsemen; and Racers of the highest blood and greatest speed Avere 

 invariably chosen by the most distinguished warriors, and for enter- 

 prizes of the greatest danger, or Avhich required the greatest exertions. 

 So much, hoAvever, must be said, Avith the folloAving reserve: neither 

 the Greeks nor the Romans could boast of the pure and unmixed 

 blood of the Arabian and Lybian, or Barbary Horse, the original 

 Racer; since those people selected Horses from all the surrounding coun- 

 tries, including Egypt, Syria, and others, Avhich produced a larger, and 

 probably a mixed species; yet the breed of ancient Greece was, evi- 

 dently by the description, such as Ave should, at this day, style blood- 

 horses, and such is the modern produce of their country. 



The ability of the Blood, or Southern Horse, to carry high AAcights, 

 is strongly exemplified in the practice of the ancients, Avho rode to Av^ar 

 in heavy armour, and amongst some nations of Avhom, it Avas the cus- 



F tonl 



