i6o The Arabian Horse. 



First, the numerous subdivisions which have been 

 derived from the classes formed from the before-men- 

 tioned five celebrated families, and most of them with 

 specific names, would account for the broad assertion 

 that there are numerous breeds. 



Secondly, the three classes, according to the nice 

 discrimination of the Bedouin (although of the same 

 blood), would explain the statement that there are 

 three distinct breeds ; which statement, made in good 

 faith, has nevertheless misled many, and caused much 

 confusion; but only required a little further investiga- 

 tion to get at the bottom of it. The first, stated as pure, 

 from the fact that, except through inadvertence, mares 

 of the first class are never covered by any but accepted 

 stallions of the first class. The second breed, mentioned 

 as being of mixed blood, from the fact that mares of 

 the second class are continually being put to horses of 

 the first ; the mares often being sent long distances. 



Thirdly, the rather contradictory description that the 

 horses of the third breed have no claim to gentle breed- 

 ing, although they have a good deal of choice blood 

 distributed among them, is quite explained by the fact 

 that the third class is made up from horses and mares 

 of the first, which have failed in some requirements, 

 and perhaps sometimes from no authentic notice having 

 been taken of their birth, although of the same identical 

 blood. 



And fourthly, that the horses of Nejed are best, and 

 reared in the remoter parts of the desert, from the very 

 evident circumstance that the Anezah possess the 



