ARABIAN HORSES. 261 



theless it seems to lie essentially the same. Zebras 

 and quaggas are of the equine family ; and this pecu- 

 liar marking of the Arabian horse would, on Darwin's 

 hypothesis,, indicate that, if not himself the primitive 

 horse, he at least stands nearer to that animal than 

 does any other existing equus. 



However, this discussion has no practical value, nor 

 is it essential even for the Arabo-maniacs to prove 

 their case historically. This fact is sufficient, and can- 

 not be controverted, namely, that the Arabian horse 

 is the only one now extant of a fixed type. His 

 antiquity is such that in comparison with him all 

 other breeds are mongrels of yesterday. It is con- 

 jectured that he dates back to the time of Ishmael ; 

 and it is reasonably certain that the present breed 

 existed in the days of Mahomet. 



This is antiquity enough. The English racer, as I 

 have stated, is a modern product, his stud-book dat- 

 ing from the year 1808. According to the standard 

 of the desert, therefore, the English horse is a par- 

 venu ; and although he is bigger, stronger, and faster 

 than the Arab, he is less sound, beautiful, intelligent, 

 and gentle. Moreover, as must be the case with a 

 new breed, the English thoroughbred varies greatly 

 in size, in shape, and in many other characteristics ; 

 whereas the Arabian, though each family has its pe- 

 culiarities, is much more nearly of one type, and al- 

 most of one size. Pure Arabians range from 14 to 

 15 hands, being commonly about 14.2. Very rarely 

 one stands as low as 13.3, or as high as 15.1. An 

 English officer, speaking of Arabian horses as racers, 

 says, " They can all gallop about equally fast." 



In estimating the Arabian horse, or in comparing 



