120 THE HOUSES OF PREHISTOBIC [CH. 



from central Europe, was the old heavy-built, large-headed 

 European Asiatic type found at Solutre. In the ponies of the 

 Isle of Rodo, which lies off the coast of Norway considerably to 

 the south of the Lofoden group, we have probably the best 

 living examples 1 of the ancient race (Fig. 48). 



The earliest information concerning the colour of the horses 

 of Scandinavia is contained in Beowulf, supposed to have been 



FIG. 49. Norwegian Ponies, near Mundal Glacier. 



composed in the eighth century. In it we read of fallow (i.e. 

 dun-coloured) 2 , of 'apple-fallow' (i.e. dapple-dun) 3 , and white 

 horses 4 . From the dun horses described in Beowulf are probably 

 descended the Norwegian ponies of modern times, which are 



1 I am indebted (through my friend Dr Venn, F.K.S.) to Dr Brunchorst, 

 Director of the Bergen Museum, for the loan of the photographs from which 

 this and the Lofoden pony are taken. 



2 1. 856, fealwe mearas ; for colour meant by fealwe, cf. 917 (fealwe straete), 

 951 (fealone flod). 



3 1. 1266, oeppel-fealuwe mearas. 



4 1. 856, mearum ridan on blancum. 



