MAEKS OF AGE, ANB ABUSES 



485 



All this is ridiculous, 

 no less than inhuman. 

 Mature has given these 

 organs to the lower ani- 

 mals to protect the in- 

 ternal parts of the ear, 

 and to keep out dust 

 and flies; but, what, is 

 even of more conse- 

 quence than this, the 

 external ear performs a 

 most important function 



in catching the undulations of sound, which produce the sense 

 of hearing. To deprive any of these dumb servants of the 

 ears, or to mutilate those members, is to impair the hearing ; 

 to leave the tympanum — that is, the sensitive membrane within 

 the ear which is commonly called its drum — more or less ex- 

 posed to cold, wet, dust, flies, etc., and to occasion suffering 

 that is wholly unnecessary. 



In the case of the horse, the practice is especially repug- 

 nant to all notions of correct taste, to say nothing of its 

 cruelt}^ The ears consti- .^ 



tute one of his chief orna- 

 ments. Their various po- 

 sitions and changing mo- 

 tions indicate his temper 

 and feelings most perfect- 

 ly. When pitched forward, 

 they betray surprise or 

 alarm ; when drawn partly 

 back, dislike or timidity ; 

 when thrown entirely back, so that they lie on the neck, 

 danger and intention to do mischief; when raised and moving 

 loosely back and forth, they indicate gentleness and docility; 

 and when they droop away from the head, the horse is sleepy 

 or very ill. What true lover of the horse has failed to rec- 

 ognize and admire this beautiful play of the ears? How 



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