346 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



flanks. The eyes are large, set near the surface, 

 and very expressive ; the ears, remarkable for their 

 mobility, point and open in any desired direction in 

 order the better to catch the sound in their trumpet- 

 shaped exterior. The nostrils are full and also very 

 mobile ; the upper lip projects and folds over to seize 

 the food, arrange it in a convenient mouthful, and 

 carry it to the teeth, just as a hand would. The 

 whole surface of the skin, which is extremely sensi- 

 tive, quivers and shakes at the slightest touch. Let 

 us not forget a characteristic peculiar to the horse 

 and other animals that most nearly resemble it, such 

 as the zebra and donkey : on the forelegs, and some- 

 times the hind ones as well, there is a bare spot, hard 

 as horn, and known as a callus. 



"The horse's neigh or whinny, as it is called, 

 varies according to the feelings expressed. The 

 whinny of delight is rather long, rising little by little, 

 and ending in a shrill note. At the same time the 

 animal kicks out, but not violently or with any desire 

 to do harm merely as a sign of joy. To express de- 

 sire the whinny is longer, ends on a lower key, and 

 is not accompanied with any kicking movement. On 

 these occasions the horse sometimes shows its teeth 

 and seems to laugh. The neigh of anger is short 

 and sharp. Vigorous kicks accompany it, the lips 

 are distorted in a grimace, showing the teeth, and the 

 ears lie close to the head and point backward. This 

 last sign shows an intention to bite. The neigh of 

 fear is pitched low and is hoarse and short. It 

 seems to be produced chiefly by blowing through 



