THE TARTAR HORSE, &C. 433 



The Parthian kings used to sacrifice Persian horses to 

 their divinities ; this they considered the most costly offer- 

 ing they could make. 



THE TARTAR HORSE. 



In the widely extended plains of independent Tartary, 

 there are various breeds of wild horses, which differ con- 

 siderably in their external conformation. Those in general 

 are ill-made, clumsy animals, but are said to possess great 

 speed. They are hunted by the natives on account of their 

 flesh, which is considered a great delicacy, more especially 

 that of the foals, which is prized above that of all other 

 food. The better formed animals are tamed and domesti- 

 cated. 



The largest of these wild coursers are a little larger than 

 the smaller Russian horses, with large heads in proportion to 

 the size of the body, and some of them have ears nearly as 

 long as those of asses ; their mane is very short and curled, 

 their tails more or less covered with hair, but always shorter 

 than that of a common horse, and certainly far from being 

 a graceful ornament. They are for the most part of a 

 mouse colour, and a few are of an ash-grey ; their coat is 

 very long, and extremely thick. 



THE TOORKOMAN HORSE. 



Turkistan is situate to the north of the Caspian Sea, or 

 South Tartary, and has been long celebrated for a breed of 

 horses possessing great physical powers : these are called 

 Toorkomans. Some travellers affirm that they are greatly 

 superior to the Persian race for enduring long-continued 

 exertion. 



In their form, however, they are by no means attractive, 

 being too small in the barrel, with too long legs, with lank 



3k 



