NATURAL HISTORY. 147 



Of all the large animals, the horse has the greatest 

 proportion and elegance in every part of the body. The 

 great length of the jaws is the principal cause of the 

 difference between the heads of quadrupeds and of the 

 human species. It is also the most ignoble mark of 

 all ; yet, though the jaws of the horse are very long, 

 he has not, like the ass, an air of imbecility, or of stu- 

 pidity like the ox. The regularity of the proportions 

 of Ins head, on the contrary, gives him an air of 

 sprightliness, which is well supported by the beauty 

 of his chest. The horse seems desirous of raising him- 

 self above his state of a quadruped, by holding up his 

 head, and in this noble attitude he looks man in his 

 face. His eyes are lively and large, his ears well 

 made, and of a just proportion, without being short 

 like those of the bull, or too long like those of the ass. 

 His mane suits well his head, ornaments his neck, and 

 gives him an air of superiority. His long bushy tail 

 covers and terminates advantageously the extremities 

 of his body, far different from the short tails of the 

 stag, the elephant, c. and the naked tails of the ass, 

 the camel, the rhinoceros, &c. The tail of the horse 

 is formed of long, thick hair, which seems to come 

 from his rump. He cannot raise his tail like the lion, 

 but it suits him better hanging down, as he can move 

 it sideways. It is very useful to him to drive away 

 the flies which incommode him, for though his skin is 

 very hard, and is every wtiere furnished with a close 

 thick coat, it is extremely sensible. 



The head of a well-proportioned horse should be lean 

 and small, without being too long. The ears should 

 be at a moderate distance, small, straight, immoveable, 

 narrow, thin, and well placed on the top of the head. 

 The forehead should be narrow, and a little convex* 



