ASTRAGALUS — AUCTION SALES 



that the principal breeds of foreign asses vary considerably 

 in appearance and in height. The best known of these, so 

 far as this country is concerned, is the Poitou ass, which, as 

 his name implies, is of French production, and highly prized 

 by breeders of mules ; but Spain and America likewise 

 possess their own varieties, which are favoured by the support 

 of thousands of persons both for riding and draught purposes. 

 The principal value of the ass is as a mule breeder, and 

 it is surprising the amount of size and substance which such 

 a sire as a Poitou Jack introduces into his stock. (See Mule, 

 Poitou Ass, Quagga, Zebra?) 



Astragalus. — One of the bones of the hock. (See Bones, 

 Hind-legs, Hocks.) 



Astringents create a contraction of tissue. (See 

 Medicines.) 



Atavism is the term applied to the tendency which 

 all animals possess to " throw back," that is, to show a 

 resemblance to some more or less remote ancestor. (See 

 Saturation, Telegony, Throw Back.) 



Atlas. — The first vertebra of the neck, which unites with 

 the bones at the back of the head so as to allow the head to 

 move up and down. (See Bones.) 



Auction Sales: — The man who is bold enough to bid a 

 long price at an auction sale for a horse of which he knows 

 nothing beyond what he can see, must be complimented upon 

 the possession of ample confidence in his own judgment. 

 No doubt many bargains are picked up in this way every 

 week of the year, but the fact does not necessarily ensure 

 a person who does not understand horse-flesh being fortunate 

 enough to secure one. Of course, if the intending purchaser 

 happens to be acquainted with the history of a particular 

 animal up to the very day of the sale, he knows what he is 



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