THE BARB. 



Thf. Godolphhi Arabian. 



It has already been stated, that the earliest records we have of the horse 

 trace him to Egypt, whence he gradually found his way to Arabia and 

 Persia, and the provinces which were colonized from Egypt ; and thence 

 to the other parts of the old world. But Egypt is not now a breeding 

 country, and it does not appear to possess those requisites which could 

 ever have constituted it one. Without, however, entering into the question 

 whether the horse was primarily the inhabitant of some particular region, 

 whence other parts were gradually supplied, or whether it was common to 

 many countries, but differing in each ; we have stated it to be probable that 

 the horses of Egypt, the earliest on record, were derived from the neighbour- 

 ing and interior districts of Africa. Therefore, in giving a very summary 

 account of the most celebrated and useful breeds of different countries, it is 

 natural to begin with those of Africa. 



At the head of these is the Barb, from Barbary, and particularly from 

 Morocco and Fez, and the interior of Tripoli ; and remarkable for his fine 

 and graceful action. It is rather lower than the Arabian, seldom exceeding 

 fourteen hands and an inch. The shoulders are flat, the chest round, the joints 

 inclined to be long, and the head particularly beautiful. The Barb is de- 

 cidedly superior to the Arab in form, but has not his spirit, or speed, or 

 countenance. 



The Barb has chiefly contributed to the excellence of the Spanish horse ; 

 and, when the improvement of the breed of horses began to be systemati- 

 cally pursued in Great Britain, the Barb was very early introduced. The 

 Godolphin Arabian, as he is called, of whom we have presented our 

 readers with a cut, and who was the origin of some of our best racing 

 blood, was a Barb ; and others of our most celebrated turf- horses trace 

 their descent from African mares. 



More in the centre of Africa, in the kingdom of Bournou, is a breed, 

 which Mr. Tully, in his almost romantic history of TripoU, reckons superior 

 even to those of Arabia or Barbary ; it possesses the best qualities of both 



