THE HORSE. 



The multiplication of horses 

 in America, since their intro- 

 duction by the Spanish con- 

 querors, has been prodigious. 

 Innumerable herds, each con- 

 sisting of many thousand ani- 

 mals, roam over the plains of 

 both continents, from Patago- 

 nia to the south western prai- 

 ries of North America ; and, 

 notwithstanding the warfare 

 waged on them by man, by 

 whom they are slaughted for 

 their hides alone, their num- 

 bers would increase to a per- 

 nicious excesss, were it not for 

 the destruction caused among 

 them by floods and droughts. 

 The supply of water often fails 

 in the sultry plains, and then the horses, tortured to madness, rush into the first marsh or pool they can 

 find, trampling each other to death. The impetuous rush of a herd of Wild Horses impelled either by some 

 panic or by raging thirst, is called a stampede. During these stampedes, the herd of maddened animals 

 not unfrequently breaks into the camps of hunting parties on the plains or prairies. In such an event, the 

 tame horses of the hunters are altnost always borne away by the excited throng. 



The Shetland Pony, as its name implies, is a native of the Shetland Isles. The Sheltie, as it is called, 

 is very small, its height sometimes being only thirty-four inches ; but it is very strong and sure-footed, carry- 

 ing its rider with perfect safety along the most terrific precipices, and almost invaribly choosing to walk on 

 the very edge. 



It is generally allowed that the hunter, whose spirit is only equalled by his endurance of fatigue, and 

 whose speed is on a par with his beautiful form, presents a happy combination of those qualities which give 

 swiftness to the racer, vigour to the charger, and muscular power to the draught-horse. 



A Stampede. 



065) 



Shetland Pony. 



Spanish Mules. 



