nr. XXVIII.] Early Training and Education. 261 



them for this, but at the same time it interferes 

 with their growth, and prevents them from develop- 

 ing the full powers of strength and speed they 

 might otherwise acquire. The colt, as soon as it is 

 born, and this may be at any time of the year (for 

 the Bedouins have no prejudice in favour of early 

 foaling), is fastened, by a cord tied either round 

 the neck or round the hind leg above the hock, to 

 a, tent-rope, and kept thus close to the tent all 

 day, its dam going out the while to pasture. 

 The little creature by this early treatment becomes 

 extraordinarily tame, suffering itself to be handled 

 at once and played with by the children. It is 

 fed, as soon as it can be made to drink, on camel's 

 milk, which the Bedouins pretend will give it the 

 endurance of that beast ; and, at any rate by the 

 end of the month, it is weaned altogether from 

 the mare. The real reason of this can hardly be 

 the good of the foal, but the necessity of making- 

 use of the mare for riding. The Bedouins allow 

 at most a month before and a month after foaling 

 for rest. The colt then has not the advantage we 

 think so essential to proper growth, of running 

 with its mother during its first season. It con- 

 tinues, however, quite tame, and, as soon as it is a 

 year old, is mounted a little l)y the children, and 

 later on by any boy who is a light weight. The 

 Bedouins declare that, unless a colt has done really 

 hard Avork before he is three years old, he will 

 never be fit to do it afterwards ; so in the course 



