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oldest pedigrees acknowledge no such crosses, although experiments of 

 that kind may have been since tried by individuals. In favour of the 

 established opinion, however, it may be urged, that a few of the Ara- 

 bians and Barbs have evinced by their produce, an immense su[)eriority 

 over the common herd imported, and that the latter, in consequence, 

 are, at this time in very low estimation. 



The Arabian Horses are never of any very large size, seldom indeed 

 reaching the height of fifteen hands. They excel in sleeloiess and 

 flexibility of the skin, and in general symmetry, from the head to the 

 lower extremities. The eye is full and shining, the head joined, not 

 abruptly, but to a curved extremity of the neck ; the shoulders capacious, 

 deep and counter, or inclining to flat, and declining considerably into the 

 waste ; the quarters deep, and the fore arms and thighs long, large and 

 muscular, with a considerable curve of the latter; the legs flat and 

 clean,with the tendon or sinew large and distinct; the pasterns moderately 

 long; the feet somewhat deep, the substance of the hoofs fine, like that 

 of the deer. This general description may suffice until we come to 

 treat of the English Race-Horse, inseparably connected with the 

 Arabian. 



The Arabians breed their Horses for sale and exportation, and I un- 

 derstand are always ready to part with those of their most esteemed 

 breeds, for an adequate price, which may sometimes amount to five 

 hundred pounds or upwards, others being attainable at perhaps a tenth 

 part of that sum. It is said, they are not so willing to part with their 

 mares. Perhaps Aleppo, Suez, Bassoruh on the Persian gulph, Mecca, 

 and Alocha in Arabia Fati.r, may be quoted as the readiest places of 

 access to the true breed of Arabian Coursers. But Horses under the 

 general name of Arabians, are imported into Europe, from all parts 

 of the East, where they are almost invariably purchased by persons 

 totally unskilled, unless, perhaps, a few exceptions may be made, with 

 respect to military purchasers ; and they, as such, had they the power of 

 selection, would scarcely chuse the true Courser, inferior, in a mili- 

 tary view, to Persian, Egyptian or Turkish Horses. King Charles II. 

 indeed, sent out a person expressly for the puipose of purchasing brood 

 mares for the racing stud, which were theace afterwards styled royal 



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