EQUUS. MAMMALIA. 143 



the world possessing breeds peculiar to themselves. But the Arabian race has long 

 been considered as the noblest of the species, and as combining the qualities of en- 

 durance, vigour, and temper, in a higher degree than any of the other varieties. As 

 breeders of horses have ascertained that the qualities of the Arabian horse may 

 be perpetuated in his descendants, in the countries of Europe where attention is 

 paid to the raising of this valuable animal for various purposes, the deterioration 

 which a northern climate induces in a native of warmer latitudes is counteracted 

 by crossing with the original breed. From the importation of the pure breed 

 of Arabia into Europe, and the different crossings of these and their descendants with 

 the native breeds, has arisen all that variety in appearance and qualities of the horse, 

 which fits them for heavy draughts, the plough or the saddle. 



It is in England chiefly, however, that the cultivation and education of the horse 

 has been carried to its greatest refinement, and in this country are local races, ad- 

 mirably adapted to the different purposes which agriculture, or commerce, or lux- 

 ury may demand. The first is the race-horse, immediately proceeding from an Arabian 

 or Barbary stallion, with an English mare already crossed with a Barb or Arab in 

 the first degree, or the result of two crossings in the same degree. This breed is termed 

 first blood, or the nearest possible to the original stock ; and in the quality of speed 

 it is not probable that it can ever be exceeded. The next is the Hunter, the result 

 of crossing a stallion of the first blood with a mare of a degree less near the origi- 

 nal source. The third is the cross between the hunter and the more common mares, 

 which, uniting the stronger limbs and heavier bodies of the indigenous races to the 

 qualities of the Arabian, produce the British carriage- horses ; and the great dray 

 horse, whose gigantic proportions and immense power of draught can scarcely be 

 surpassed, are the produce of this last with the strongest mares of the country breed. 

 And it is a curious circumstance, that, in the mixture of all these races, the influence 

 of the Arab blood is observable, either in the conformation of some peculiar parts, 

 or the preservation of some peculiar qualities. The Persian, Barbary, and Turkish 

 horses are those which come nearest to the Arabian in conformation anil qualities, and 

 the Spanish horses long enjoyed a high character in Europe, probably from the breed 

 being kept up by the intermixture of the horses of Barbary. In France are nu- 

 merous varieties, and most of them very serviceable animals. The other European 

 races it would be impossible to enumerate here. 



The Arabs divide their horses into two races. The first which they call Kochlani^ 

 or Kailhan, are those whose genealogy is known for two thousand years, and which 

 has, they say, originated from the stud of Solomon. The other race, appropriated to 

 servile uses, they name Kadischi, or horses of an unknown race. And they are pe- 

 culiarly careful, by certificates and other means, to preserve the principal races pure. 

 The mares enjoy the exclusive privilege of transmitting the purity of the race to 

 their descendants, and the genealogies are always reckoned from the mothers. * 



E. Hemionus, Desm. The Dzhiggtai. Fur light bay in summer, 

 redder in winter ; mane and dorsal line black ; tail terminated 

 by a black tuft. Size of the horse. Inhabits deserts of Mongo- 

 lia. Pall Com. Petrop. xix. t. 7- 



E. zebra, Lin. The Zebra. Fur white, with numerous symme- 

 trical bands of brownish black. Size of a small horse. Inhabits 

 Africa Shaw, ii. pi. 217- 



E. couagga, Desm. Gmel. The Quagga. Head and neck dark brown, 

 with transverse grayish white stripes, the under part and legs, 

 whitish ; tail tufted. Inhabits S. Africa. Sharv, ii. pi. 218. 



E. montanus, Gray. The Dauw. Body covered with pure single 

 black and white stripes down to the hoofs. -Gray, Zool. Journ. 



E. asinus, Lin. The Ass. Fur gray, more or less reddish, with 

 black dorsal line and a transverse band on the shoulders ; ears 

 very large ; tail terminated by a tuft of hair. Sharv, ii. pi. 216. 

 The manners of the ass in domestication are well known. Patient and tempe- 



