164 THE HORSE AND ITS RELATIVES 



the Arab being the descendant of the Siwalik horse 

 or some nearly allied species from Southern Asia, 

 not necessarily India. It has been suggested that 

 as the extinct Equus stenonis has likewise a pre- 

 orbital depression and short grinding surfaces to 

 the anterior inner pillars of the upper cheek-teeth, 

 it may claim to be regarded as the ancestor of the 

 Arab or the Siwalik species. It was not, however, 

 a native of the countries where, in my own opinion, 

 the Arab probably originated. 



Turning to the Barb type, this breed has its 

 native home in Morocco and Algeria, and in its 

 original form stands from fourteen to fifteen hands 

 at the withers. It is characterised by the flat 

 shoulders, rounded chest, relatively long head, and, 

 as compared with the Arab, the lower setting of 

 the tail, the hair of which, like that of the mane, .is 

 profusely developed. The prevailing colours are 

 dark bay, brown, chestnut, black, and grey. The 

 skull has the same sinuous profile as that of the 

 Arab; but the teeth have not been described. 

 Formerly the Barb was extensively crossed with 

 Syrian Arabs, while in Algeria it has of late years 

 been much mingled with European horses, so that 

 pure-bred animals are not easy to obtain. The Barb 

 will thrive on as poor fare as the Arab, and is 

 equally hardy in constitution and docile in temper, 

 although somewhat less spirited. Several strains 



