THE ARAB STOCK 159 



somewhat long, but alert; the eyes full and clear; 

 the veins prominent. . . . 



" These desert horses subsist on the scantiest 

 food, and are patient of hunger and thirst in a 

 degree unknown in any other races except the 

 African. They feed on the scanty plants which 

 the borders of the desert supply, and when these 

 are wanting, on a little barley, with chopped straw, 

 withered herbs, roots, dates, and, in cases of need, 

 the milk of the camel. They drink at long intervals 

 and in moderate quantities. They bear continued 

 exposure to the fiercest heat, and day after day 

 perform marches of incredible toil through the 

 burning sands of the wilderness." 



In the foregoing account sufficient emphasis is 

 not laid on the absence of slope in the rump, and 

 the consequent high setting of the tail ; features 

 differing markedly from those obtaining in the 

 wild tarpan and its relatives. The average height 

 is also under-estimated, many Arabs standing \\\ 

 or 14! hands. 



The colour of Arabs is commonly bay or chest- 

 nut, frequently with a star on the forehead and one 

 or more of the fetlocks white ; but it may be black 

 or grey, although never dun. For the various 

 strains of Arabs, the reader may be referred to 

 other works ; and it will suffice to mention that 

 the highest or pure-bred is the one known as kohl 

 or kehailan ; both names referring apparently to 



