NATURAL HISTORY. 1.0? 



finy fixed habitation, without any other shelter than 

 a mild sky, they breathe a purer air than those that 

 are confined in vaulted palaces. These wild horses 

 are also much stronger, much swifter, and more ner- 

 vous, than the greater part of domestic horses. They 

 have, what nature has bestowed upon them, strength 

 and nobleness. The others, only what art can give, 

 beauty and cunning. 



The natural disposition of these animals is not fe- 

 rocious, for though superior in strength to the great- 

 est part of animals, they never attack them ; and if 

 they are attacked by others, they either disdain them 

 or trample them under their feet. They herd toge- 

 ther, as they are not fearful of but fond of one ano- 

 ther. As herbs and vegetables are sufficient for their 

 nourishment, they have quite enough to satisfy their 

 appetite ; and as they have no relish for the flesh of 

 animals, they never make War with them, nor with 

 themselves. They live in peace, because their appe- 

 tite is simple and moderate ; and, as they have enough, 

 there is no room for envy. 



As all parts of Europe are at present peopled, and 

 almost equally inhabited, wild horses are no longer 

 found there ; and those which we see in America, 

 were originally European tame horses, which have 

 multiplied in the vast deserts of that country. The 

 astonishment and fear which the inhabitants of Mexico 

 and Peru expressed at the sight of horses and their 

 riders, convinced the Spaniards that this animal was 

 entirely unknown in these countries. They therefore 

 carried thither a great number as well for service, and 

 their particular utility, as to propagate the breed. 

 M. de la Salle, in 1685, saw, in the northern parts 

 of America, near the Bay of St Louis, whole troop* 



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