24 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Descending dangerous roads Mode of defence. 



on stones like steps, they first gently tread with 

 one foot, to try if the stone be firm ; and in this 

 they must be left entirely to their own manage- 

 ment, or the best rider in the world would run 

 the risk of breaking his neck. When they have 

 to descend steep and slippery places, (and such 

 frequently occur) they draw their hind-legs toge- 

 ther under their bodies, in a truly curious man- 

 ner, and thus slide down. They exhibit great 

 courage in contending, as they often do, with 

 the wolves and bears, but particularly with the 

 latter. When a stallion perceives any of these 

 animals near him, and has a mare or gelding 

 with him, he first puts these behind out of the 

 way, and ihen furiously attacks his enemy with 

 his fore-legs, which he uses so expertly as gene- 

 rally to come off victorious. Sometimes, how- 

 ever, the bear, who is very superior in point of 

 strength, gets the advantage, particularly if the 

 horse make any attempt, by turning round, to 

 kick him with his hind-legs; for the bear then 

 immediately closes upon him, and keeps such 

 firm hold as scarcely by any means to be shaken 

 off: in this case the unfortunate horse gallops 

 away with his enemy, till he falls and expires 

 from loss of blood. 



It has been justly remarked, that few countries 

 can boast a breed of horses so excellent as those 

 of Great Britain. The English hunters are al- 

 lowed to be among the noblest and most elegant 

 animals in the world: and, after repeated trials, 



