126 INFLUENCE OP EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ON GROWTH. 



horses degenerate in certain localities, such as the neighbourhood 

 of Kopschan, upon the borders of Moravia ; but without going 

 so far, we shall find still more striking examples of the modify- 

 ing power of external circumstances. If of two colts sprung 

 from the same race, in Lorraine, for example, one is trans- 

 ported into Flanders and the other into the pastures of Nor- 

 mandy, instead of preserving the same characters, they will 

 present, at the age of five years, nearly as much difference as if 

 they had proceeded from two distinct races. One will become a 

 light and elegant carriage-horse; the other an enormous animal, 

 almost incapable of going a trot, but fitted to draw the heaviest 

 loads at a slow pace. Where food is abundant, and where by 

 the foresight of man it never fails at any season, the horses are 

 generally large and fat ; whilst in countries where it is less 

 abundant, even during but one season of the year, these ani- 

 mals only acquire a small or middle size. Physiologists have 

 proved something similar to this, in studying the laws of the 

 growth of Man ; and to be convinced of the truth of this observa- 

 tion relatively to horses, it is sufficient to compare those which, 

 in the same country, belong to the poor labourer or to the rich 

 landowner. Pasturage in rich and damp meadows, such as are 

 most suitable to fatten cattle, tends to give to horses a heavy 

 and clumsy appearance ; to render their skin thick, and their 

 hair coarse, and to diminish the vivacity of their character. 

 The food supplied by dry meadows produces no such effect ; 

 and, when it has been rendered still firmer by the addition of a 

 considerable proportion of corn grains, it becomes eminently 

 fitted to preserve, and even to produce, the elegance of form 

 and the muscular energy which are characteristic of a noble 

 race. When a somewhat lower temperature adds its influence 

 to that of dampness, and of abundant and watery food, the horses 

 acquire a much heavier form, but become, at the same time, 

 much less energetic, and more inert. In very cold or very 

 hot countries, on the contrary, the growth is checked much 

 sooner ; and even the largest races soon lose their high stature. 

 Again, the daily attention which is given to some horses, and of 

 which others are completely destitute, also has its effect upon 



