HIS EYES AND EARS. 51 



preclude the possibility of being prematurely discovered to the 

 enemy by the exercise of this habit. On the lower part of the 

 nostril, toward the outer edge, may be seen the mouth of a 

 small tube, which conveys the tears from the inner canthus or 

 corner of tlie eye. It opens on the skin just before it joins the 

 lining membrane of the nose. This little cavity has often been 

 mistaken, by unqualified persons, for an ulcer common in glan- 

 derous afitections, and the poor animal has frequently fallen a 

 victim to the error, 



" Tlieir eyes are large in proportion to those of some other 

 quadrupeds, and the pupilar opening is of an oblate elliptic 

 form, with its long axes parallel to the horizon, thus increasing 

 the lateral field of vision. Round the edges of the pupil is a 

 curious fringe of deep plum-colored eminences, supposed to be 

 serviceable in absorbing the superabundant rays of light which 

 may be transmitted to the eye. The horse's sight is excellent, 

 and although not regarded as a nocturnal animal, he can distin- 

 guish objects at night with great facility. There are but few 

 horsemen w^ho have not benefited by this power, when the 

 shades of night have fallen around them. 



"The ears are comparatively small, but the conch is en- 

 dowed with extensive motion so as to catch the sound coming 

 from any quarter. Their hearing is quick, and although blind- 

 ness is so destructively prevalent among horses, deafness is 

 exceedingly uncommon. During sleep one ear is usually 

 directed forward, and the other backward ; when on a march at 

 night in company, it has been noticed, ' that those in the front 

 direct their ears forward, those in the rear backward, and those 

 in the centre turn them laterally, or across ; the whole troop 

 seeming thus to be actuated by one feeling, which watches the 

 general safety.' In contests of speed the ears are generally laid 

 backwards, so as to ofifer no opposition to the rapid progress of 

 the animal. It must be evident that if the concave surfaces of 

 these organs be presented forward, they would gather the wind* 

 and slightly impede progression. 



" The difi'erent vocal articulations to which the horse gives 



* It appears to me more probable that the ear is deflected backward, merely to 

 avoid the inconvenience, if not pain, which the current of air, generated by the 

 horse's own velocity, would inflict on that delicate organ. H. W. H. 



