THE PERCHERON HORSE. , 15 



most always gray, and is, among the characteristic features, 

 that which first strikes the eye. 



According to their predominence, these temperaments 

 constitute varieties which may be thus classed : 



1st. The light Percheron, in which the sanguine tem- 

 perament predominates ; 



2nd. The draft Percheron, in which the lymphatic 

 temperament is the most fully developed ; 



3rd. The type intermediary between these tw r o, par- 

 taking of the one by its lightness, and of the other by its 

 muscular force. 



The latter is the most numerous, but it has much de- 

 generated of late years ; and there is a tendency to its 

 disappearance since the post-coach service, which formed 

 it, has gradually given way to other means of conveyance. 

 It has style, although the head is rather large and long ; 

 nostrils well open and well dilated ; eye large and ex- 

 pressive ; forehead broad ; ear fine ; neck rather short, 

 but well filled out; whithers high; shoulder pretty long 

 and sloping; breast rather flat, but high and deep; a 

 well-rounded body ; back rather long ; the croup hori- 

 zontal and muscular; tail attached high ; short and strong 

 joints, and the tendon generally weak; a foot always 

 excellent, although rather flat in the low countries and 

 natural meadows ; a gray coat ; fine skin ; silky and abun- 

 dant mane. Such are the most general characteristics 

 of the old Percheron race. These are the points which 

 are still noticed upon what remain of some old horses, 

 preserved from the transformation which commenced long 

 ago ; for at the present moment everything is much 

 changed. Since the time of the foreign crossings, the foot 

 has become flatter, the head overcharged, the tendon still 

 weaker, the back longer, the shoulder has lost its direction, 

 and the croup has become shorter. The race has changed 

 suddenly to fill new wants which have unexpectedly 

 sprung up. 



