76 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 



nutritious cliaracter, and possessing a largerquantity of saccha- 

 rine matter tlian any otlier animal is known to possess. 



The disproportionate length of the foal's legs, which is so 

 strikingly apparent, when compared with those of the adult 

 animal, is thought by some naturalists to be provided by pre- 

 scient nature to enable the young animal to keep pace with 

 its dam during flight from any menacing danger. Linnaeus 

 attempted to ascertain the future height of the colt by admea- 

 surement of its legs ; but so much is found to depend upon the 

 quantity and character of the nutriment with which it is pro- 

 vided during the period of its growth, that little reliance can 

 be placed upon early experiments of tliis kind. The historian, 

 the warrior, and the horseman, Xenophon, has long ago 

 alluded to the same subject in his treatise upon horsemanship. 

 **I now explain," said he, "how a man may run the least risk 

 of being deceived, when conjecturing the future height of a 

 horse. The young horse, which, when foaled, has the shank- 

 bone the longest, invariably turns out the largest. For, as time 

 advances, the shank-bones of all quadrupeds increase but little ; 

 but that the rest of the body may be symmetrical, it increases 

 in proportion." 



Puberty commences in both sexes as early as the second year, 

 bat all the structures continue to be gradually developed until 

 the end of the fifth year, by which time the changes in the teeth 

 are perfected, and the muscles have acquired a growth and tone 

 which give to the form the distinctives of adolescence. It is 

 during the term which elapses between the period of adult age 

 and that of confirmed virility, that a further progressive change 

 takes place in the animal economy ; the powers of the whole 

 frame continue to acquire strength, and although there is no 



