COLOUR. 



217 



on skins which are free from pigment, than on dark-coloured 

 skins. Besides, as human albinos are generally inferior, 

 intellectually and physically, to their fellows, we may 

 suppose that the same rule holds good with respect to these 

 equine albinos. Experiments show that dark-coloured 

 hair is capable of sustaining greater tension than blonde 

 hair. Hence we have reason to assume that the protective 

 cuticle and horn (both of which, like hair, consist of 



Pholo by] [M. H. H. 



Fig. 405. — Stripe and snip. 



epithelium), secreted by dark-coloured skin, are stronger 

 than those formed by pink skin. 



English stable-men who make a practice of washing 

 horses' feet, rightly consider that animals which have 

 white pasterns and which are under their care, are more 

 liable to get cracked heels than those which have dark 

 ones. This supposed idiosyncrasy- is no doubt chiefly 

 due to the extra amount of washing which the white 

 pasterns receive, so as to give them a clean appearance. 



Experience in tropical climates teaches us that the 

 darker a horse's coat is, the better will he stand the effects 

 of the sun. Dark surfaces radiate heat and also absorb 



22 



