Ill] 



AND HISTORIC TIMES 



275 



the ' Sardonicus ' (here reproduced, Fig. 76) ; whilst Blundeville 

 says that " the horses that come out of the Isles of Sardinia 

 and Corsica, as Volaterranus saith, have short bodies and be 

 very bolde and couragious, and unquiet in their pace, for 

 they be of so fierce and hote cholerike complexion, and there- 

 with so much used to running in their countrie, as they will 

 stand still on no ground, and therefore this kind of Horse 

 requireth a discreete and patiente rider, who must not be 

 overhastie in correcting him, for feare of marring him 

 altogether." 



FIG. 76. The Sardinian Horse. 



The Carthaginians had occupied Sardinia from an early 

 time and it is probable that Libyan horses were introduced 

 into that island by them. Whether this be so or not it seems 

 probable that Libyan blood had got into both islands from a 

 comparatively early period, and that partly from it originated 

 the modern breeds. 



The prevalence of black, chestnut, and bay, and the rarity 

 of grey shows that although the Libyan blood had been crossed 

 with European, the former was really the chief element in the 

 blend. 



182 



