SECRETARY'S REPORT. 155 



his hoofs hard and tough, and his veins large and swelling all 

 over his body." 



In more modern times the Arabs have been the most careful 

 and judicious breeders of the horse from about the year 1200 

 until near the beginning of the nineteenth century, and even 

 now their beautiful steeds will com[)are very favorably with 

 those of any other nation. At present almost every country in 

 the world contains one or more breeds of horses exhibiting 

 certain peculiarities of form, size, gait, temper and color, which 

 are the result of their origin and treatment, and of the soil and 

 climate where they are produced. 



One of the most valuable qualities of the horse is his remark- 

 able ability to conform to the circumstances of his situation. 

 Wherever upon the earth man can dwell and furnish a supply 

 of food, there the horse will live, and by his peculiar combina- 

 tion of speed and strength, render inestimable service. The 

 reindeer wilts and perishes in the summer even of a temperate 

 climate, while the ass, the camel and the elephant, are unable 

 to endure severe cold, and are adapted for useful labor in warm 

 countries only ; but the horse is found in excellent condition 

 both among the frozen snows of Iceland, and the burning sands 

 of Africa. 



Linna3us, in naming and classifying the animal kingdom, 

 called the horse Equus Caballus, and the ass Equus Asinus. 

 To the same genus belong the zebra, the quagga, and other 

 living species, besides two fossil species, which seem to form the 

 connecting link between the noble horse and his asinine con- 

 geners. 



"Whether the innumerable varieties of the horse have all 

 descended from one original species, or whether tliere exists 

 any where a race whose ancestors have always been untamed, 

 it is, perhaps, impossible to determine. 



Wild horses are found most abundantly upon the vast plains 

 of northern Asia and the inland portions of South xVmcrica, 

 but exist also in many other sparsely populated regions. It is 

 but little more than three centuries since the Spaniards brought 

 the first horses to this continent, yet so rapidly have they 

 increased, that immense numbers are now annually slaughtered 

 for their hides only. 



