122 



TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



to the horse ; the large incisors (see below) and its stout hoofs are its 

 principal weapons. With one blow of its fore-leg, which is further 

 intensified by the weight of the body, it can kill a wolf, while it is well 

 known what havoc it can make with a blow of the hind-legs. 



(Its speed, size and strength, in addition to its stout hoofs, render 

 the horse the most important of our draught animals. In the riding- 

 horse the weight of the rider is borne on the firm, gently-curved backbone ; 

 in the draught animal the weight is allowed to act on the broad, powerful 

 chest.) 



5. Wild horses live in herds, whereby they are rendered still better 

 able to defend themselves. 



6. Against flies the horse defends itself by the same means as the 

 ox, and also by kicking out with the hind-legs. The shortness of the 

 tail is amply balanced by the length of its hairs. (Bring forward argu- 

 ments for and against the custom of cutting off the hair of the tail.) 



ii. The Food of Wild Horses consists principally of Grasses. 



1. The horse, like the ox, requires large quantities of food. 

 (a} By means of its lips, which are very movable, it grasps the bundle 

 of grass and pushes it into its mouth. (Observe the action of the lips 

 when a horse is pulling hay from a waggon or taking a piece of bread 



from the hand.) The 

 tongue is shorter 

 than in the ox, and 

 its surface without 

 rugosities. 



(b) The incisors 

 are broad, long, and 

 directed obliquely 

 forwards. There are 

 six above and six 

 below. In pulling 

 up grass the horse 

 jerks the head back- 

 wards. By the replacement of the incisors and the amount of wear the 

 permanent set have undergone the age of the horse can be ascertained. 



(c) The legs are powerful, and the toes invested in solid hoofs. 



(d) The muscles of the neck are powerful, but less so than those of 

 the ox, the head being hornless and not used for butting. 



(e) The stomach is large, and (/) the intestine long, as in the ox. 



2. The food of the horse, like that of the ox, must be reduced to a 

 finely divided state. 



SKULL OF HOUSE (MALE). (One-sixteenth natural size.) 



