CHAPTER VII 



PEDIGREE OF ARABIAN HORSES 



Have I not heard, Count, that the true-bred Arab has 

 concealed marks by which to be identified? 



' On every Arab born and reared in the desert, and 

 belonging to the families mentioned, are to be seen certain 

 fine marks, intelligible only to the initiated. When the 

 colt is young, a very fine hot iron, like a needle, is made to 

 write certain marks and lines on the forelegs, to the right 



o 



and left of the breast, something like this, ^ but differing 



on either side. 



' It is not a painful operation, for it is done too quickly to 

 be very painful. Several of these needles are heated at the 

 same time in burning camel's manure. One is taken up, 

 a stroke or two made with it, and replaced in the heated 

 mass. Then another is used and so on, until the delicate 

 but perceptible branding is finished. The skin heals rapidly, 

 and the young colt carries the long list of his ancestors 

 about with him for the rest of his natural life.' 



But does not the hair grow over and cover these slight 

 marks ? 



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