488 THE HORSE. 



immense dominions of Russia in Asia. Here, likewise, are 

 found nomadic tribes, but reduced to entire snbmission by 

 the powerful state under whose dominions they have lived 

 for ages. This region, now generally known as Siberia, con- 

 tains, we have seen, the Wild Horse ; but, from the scanti- 

 ness of the population, domestic Horses are few as compared 

 with those of Chinese and Independent Tartary. The Horses 

 are small, sturdy, and enduring, but continually degenerating 

 with the increasing rigour of the climate, until, as we ap- 

 proach nearer the Arctic regions, they cease to be found 

 either in the wild or subjugated state, giving place to the 

 Rein-deer and the Dog. 



Turning to Europe, the Horses are seen to partake of the 

 mixed lineage and character of the inhabitants. Northward 

 and westward of the chain of the Caucasus extend the gigantic 

 dominions of Russia in Europe, comprehending the countries 

 inhabited of old by the Sarmatians, and other warlike nations 

 of herdsmen and soldiers, known generally as Slavonians. 

 The horses of these countries are hardy, muscular in their 

 limbs, and capable of enduring great labour and privations ; 

 but the finest of these are found in the countries near the 

 Black Sea, where a charming climate calls forth a rich vege- 

 tation. The Ukraine in particular, lying between the Don 

 and the Dnieper, is noted for producing a fine race of 

 Horses, distinguished by their long manes and flowing tails. 

 These countries have in various ages poured their swarms 

 of emigrants and conquerors westward or southward, car- 

 rying with them their Horses, the great engine of their con- 

 quests ; and, at this day, Russia possesses the most for- 

 midable and well-equipped army of cavalry in the world. 

 The Horses of the Slavonic nations still prevail in Poland, 

 Moldavia, Hungary, and other countries of the Danube ; and 

 they have penetrated into Prussia and the countries of the 

 Baltic. 



The first of the European countries in which we have his- 

 torical records of the domestication of the Horse is Greece ; 



