THE HORSE. jj 



^uite elastic, and that though the surface was dry, water might have been found 

 within a few feet, if not inches, anywhere below it. 



We apprehend, however, that these " very fine four-mile King's plate horses" are 

 exactly such as ought to have been selected for importation to this country, instead 

 of the fashionable stock, bred to speed, under the influences before mentioned. 



The question has been raised, and may well be entertained without implying any 

 narrow or unbecoming feeling of national jealousy; whether the turf-horse of Eng- 

 lish stock does not degenerate in America ? Referring to the controling influences of 

 climate, soil, and food, there is certainly no reason to infer that he should ; but, from 

 the very nature of these, quite the contrary ; and why may we not believe that there 

 is in nature, a power which will coerce animal, as we know it will vegetable produc* 

 tions, to forego their original peculiarities, and partially conform themselves, in pro- 

 cess of time, to the more immutable laws of soil and climate ! We recollect to have 

 heard Mr. Jefferson, in proof of the influence of soil over vegetables, state, that he 

 knew a French gentleman, on his inheritance of a famous and very profitable wine 

 estate, impair at once the quality of the wine, and his own income, materially, by 

 employing some crude and unsuitable manure to fertilize his vineyard. The vines 

 bore more abundantly, but the wine lost its flavour, and the vineyard its \\ ^nted 

 repute. So it is with other vegetables. The celebrated white wheat will change 

 from white to red, on being transplanted into any other from its natale solum the 

 eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia ; and the celebrated Havana tobacco, with change 

 of soil and climate, loses both its fine texture and rich fragrance. Thus, without any 

 violence of presumption, we may assert the influence of both soil and climate on the 

 constitution and temper of the horse. How long would the satin-coated, thin-skinned, 

 flint-footed, hard-boned, muscular and proud-spirited Arabian, accustomed to a short 

 bite, and delighting in a hot sun, retain, after being transferred to the rich and suc- 

 culent pastures of the " low countries," the high and peculiar characteristics which 

 have given him pre-eminence over all the families of his race? 



Exposed in rigorous climates, the horse could not long survive in a state of nature, 

 but when protected and well supplied with food, it is difficult to determine how fai 

 towards the pole he might be sustained ; and we may here quote from good authority, 

 " That this animal existed before the flood, the researches of geologists afford 

 abundant proof. There is not a portion of Europe, nor scarcely any part of the 

 globe> ifom the tropical plains of India, to the frozen regions of Siberia from the 

 northern extremities of the new world to the very southern point of America, in 

 which fhe fossil remains of the Horse have not been found mingled with the 

 bones of the Hippopotamus, the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Bear,~the Tiger, the 

 Deer, and various other animals, some of which, like the Mastodon, have passed 

 away." 



In point of fact, however, every other circumstance being nearly similar, the Horse 

 thrves best in countries within or near the torrid zone. In the mild climates of 

 Northwestern Europe, this noble animal reaches a high development. The wild 

 horse of this continent, brought from Texas, or the more remote provincias infernos, 

 and tamed, we have been told, though in general unsightly when compared to the 

 high-bred horse of the United States, is greatly superior in hardiness and ease of 

 support. We may further sustain these reflections on the influence of climate, with 

 the opinion of a gentleman of great observation and know -edge of geography and 

 natural history, Mr. Darby, who thinks that " in the zone of North America, com- 

 prising Western Louisiana, Texas, &c., to the Gulf of California, this most splendid 

 iuxiliary of man, with anything like equal care and skill, will reach his utmost devel- 

 jpment of form, strength, beauty, and affectionate docility." 



In additional support of our hypothesis, that climate and food have their influence 

 on the form and character of animals, and that these influences in England are less 

 auspicious to high perfection of the Horse than the warmer and dryer climates of the 

 United States, we may adduce the remarks of English writers of authority. The 

 effect indeed of climate and soil on wool-bearing animals is asserted by all natural- 

 ists. Bakewell, who bestowed particular attention on the subject, contends that the 

 softness of wool depends chiefly on the soil on which the sheep are fed. Professo* 

 Clins. whose ab e disquisition we have already freely quoted, says 4 ' the D! 



