OF THE CLASS MAMMALIA. 287 



domestic horse. Though strictly herbivorous, their stomach 

 is simple, and of moderate size. His mode of life in a 

 domestic state is so well known as to require no description. 



The horse, properly so called, is distinguished from the 

 other species by the uniform colour of the coat ; by the tail, 

 furnished with hairs from its basis ; by his height and more 

 elegant form. He exists nowhere now in a wild state, for the 

 so-called wild horses of America are merely the domestic 

 horse abandoned by man ; and although their introduction 

 into the New World is of no earlier a date than three hun- 

 dred years, they are said to be found in troops mustering ten 

 thousand. 



The. horse lives to about thirty years ; he ought not to be 

 employed for saddle or draught before four or five. When 

 aged he loses most of his valuable qualities ; and hence the 

 importance attached to the age. He is called aged when the 

 little cavities found in the incisives have disappeared by tri- 

 turation : this happens at eight years ; after that he is said, 

 to have lost the mark. 



Fig. 254. The Bison. 



The ass is recognised by its height, tufted tail, dark cross 

 on the shoulders, and long ears. More temperate and patient 

 than the horse, he is not so strong, but still very useful as a 

 beast of burthen. Comparatively he is both stronger and 

 more hardy. He is choice in the water he drinks, but in 

 nothing else, and he sleeps less than the horse. His stupid 

 and obstinate nature seems mainly due to the bad treatment 

 he receives; in the duration of life the ass resembles the 

 horse. 



