6 QJ3 A D R U P E D S. 



The manner of trying their fpeed is by hunting the oflrich : tlie 

 horfe is the only aninnal whofe rapidity equals that of this creature, which 

 inhabits the Tandy plains of thofc countries. When the oflrich perceives 

 itfclf aimed at, it makes to the mountains, while the horfeman purfuing 

 with all poffible fwifcnefs, endeavours to cut off its retreat. The chace 

 then continues along the plain, the oftrich ufmg both legs and wings to 

 afTift its motion j only a horfe of the firft fpeed is able to outrun it: and 

 if, in a trial of this kind, he is not readily tired, his price becomes pro- 

 portionably great ; lome horfes are valued at a thoufand ducats. Horles 

 thus caught, or thus trained, are at prcfent rare. 



The Arabians preferve pedigrees of their horfes with great care, 

 for ages. They know their alliances and genealogies j they didinguiOi 

 their races by different names, and divide them into three clafTes. 

 I. The nobles, the ancient breed, unadulterated on either fide. II. The 

 horfes of the ancient race, but adalteratcd. III. Thofe common and 

 inferior. They know, by experience, the race of a horfe by his appear- 

 ance; and can tell the name, the furname, the colour, and the marks 

 properly belonging to each. The moft ordinary mare of the firft race 

 fells for 500 crowns j many for 1000, and fome for 14 or 1500I. As 

 the Arabians live in tents, they alfo ferve them for itables j fo that 

 the mare, the foal, ^the hufband, the wife, the chiidrenj lie together in- 

 difcriminately ; the little children arc often altride on the body, or neck 

 of the mare, which permits their carefles without injury. The Arabians 

 never beat their horfes, but treat them gently j fpeak to them, and feem 

 to difcourfe with them as friends ; never attempt to increafe their fpeed 

 by the whip, or fpur them but in cafes of necefiity. When thus urged, 

 they fet off with amazing fwiftnefs ; they leap over obflaclcs wl ch as much 

 agility as a buck; and, if the rider happens to fail, are fo manageable, 

 that they ftand ftill in the midft of their moft rapid career. The Arabian 

 horfes are of a middle fize, eafy in their motions, and rather inclined 

 to leannefs than fat. They eat nothing during the day ; only drink once 

 or twice; at fun- fet a bag is hung to their head, containing about half 

 a buftiel of clean barley, which they eat during night. When the fpring 

 is paft, they are taken from pafture, and barley is their only food during 

 the reft of the year, except now and then a little ftraw. They are. 

 always kept ready faddled at the tent doOr from morning till fun-fer, 

 in order to be prepared againft furprife. 



From Arabia the moft generous race of horfes has been tranfmitted 

 to many parts of the world, to Egypt, to Barbary among the Moors, 



and 



