Origjn of the Percherow 



119 



a distinct breed or tribe, like our own Sufifolks. The name was never mentioned in any work 

 or record before the present century. " M. Devaux-Loresier," says Professor Moll, "a skilful 

 breeder in La Perche, and an enthusiastic advocate of the Percheron, declares that it dates from 

 the decree of 1806, establishing the stallion stud at Blois ; that it was the expression of a want 

 — the manufacture of man, not the result of soil and climate — and that he could breed 

 Percheron horses anywhere, even in Limousin, with fenced pastures and plenty of bran." 

 Others have described the Percheron as a grey trotting cart-horse, with clean limbs and a 

 neat head. These Percherons, in their best form, were the post-horses of France. Some 



^x^0^^/- 



A PERCHERON CART STALLION. 



persons consider that of late years they have deteriorated in quality — especially in the neat- 

 ness of their heads — and become coarse ; but, coarse or not, the mares are being imported 

 into England by thousands. The Percheron, according to a writer in the Revue Coiitemporaiiie, 

 was originally of a bay and sorrel colour, but was turned grey because the chief purchasers, the 

 postmasters, gave a higher price for grey horses. 



THE LIMOUSIN. 

 Of all the riding-horses of France, the Limousin, the descendant of Saracen ancestors, was, 

 as already mentioned, the best — an active and enduring Barb — but in the palmy days of this 

 race the district of Limousin consisted of open grassy plains, well suited for breeding horses. 

 After the Revolution the grass was, gradually converted into arable land ; and when Mr. 

 Nassau Senior visited Alexis de Tocqueville, in 1850, the breed was almost extinct, and all 



