ANATOMICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 31 



carries the foreign substance in the course of gravity, or from the exter- 

 nal toward the internal corner of the globe. While this is taking place, 

 the pain also excites the powerful muscles of the eye to spasmodic 

 activity. With every spasm the fat is displaced, and the cartilage darts 

 from the inner corner partially over the round surface of the eyeball. 

 The process continues until the substance is partly brushed and partly 

 washed to within the range of the fine anterior edge of the cartilage ; 

 when, by its withdrawal, the foreign particle is lodged upon the round 

 insensitive body developed at the inner corner of the eye. Toward the 

 last point the tears naturally tend, and any exciting substance, when 

 there placed, is soon floated on to the hair of the cheek. 



By joining these many proofs, we gain a moral certainty concerning 

 the region whence the horse originated. The eye is seen to be gifted 

 not only with a special provision against the glare of the desert, but it 

 also possesses a peculiar development fitting the animal to enjoy the 

 cool pasturage of the night. The eye is likewise endowed with a tele- 

 scopic power suited to sweep the far-stretching horizon of the sandy 

 waste. Moreover, the organ discloses a special apparatus evidently 

 designed to overcome those accidents to which inhabitants of arid 

 plains, when rapidly traveling long distances, and in large herds, were 

 exposed. 



The reader, perhaps, somewhat wearied by this lengthened descrip- 

 tion, may, however, be inclined to exclaim, "So that we possess the 

 horse, what care we whence the beast was derived ?" There can be no 

 crumb of knowledge so small, but it is worth man's while to stoop and 

 pick up the treasure. Its uses may not be apparent at the time of its 

 discovery, but its application is certain before long to repay the person 

 who prizes it. Taking the instance just narrated about the horse, an 

 assured knowledge of the land whence the beautiful stranger came 

 enables man the better to feel for its requirements ; attention to the wel- 

 fare of its life will be repaid by more lasting service to the master who 

 claims it as a property. By disregarding this teaching, we subject the 

 quadruped to sufl'ering, which cramps the limbs, limits the utility, and 

 shortens the existence, th;us stinting the worth and curtailing the lease 

 of the possession. 



When writing the foregoing, the author is aware that gentlemen of 

 known probity have reported the existence of herds of wild horses career- 

 ing free and unbroken over the plains of Asia. Such was formerly said 

 to be the case, and was also credited as an established fact with regard 

 to Southern America. Subsequent inquiry, however, has shown that 

 the wild animals of the pampas are no more than neglected flocks roam- 

 mg, apparently without an owner, but which, in reality, are allowed thus 



