CHAPTER VII. 



PEDIGREE OF ARABIAN HORSES. 



Have I not heard, Count, that the true-bred Arab 

 has concealed marks by which to be identified? 



"On every Arab, born and reared in the desert 

 and belonging to the families mentioned, are to be 

 seen certain fine marks, intelligible only to the 

 initiated. When the colt is young a very fine hot 

 iron, like a needle, is made to write certain marks 

 and lines on the forelegs, to the right and left of the 



o 



breast, something like this, ^ but differing on 



either side." 



Is it not a painful operation? 



" No, for it is done too quickly to be very painful. 

 Several of these needles are heated at the same 

 time, in burning camel's manure. One is taken up, 

 a stroke or two made with it, and replaced in the 

 heated mass. Then another is used and so on, until 

 the delicate, but perceptible branding is finished. 

 The skin heals rapidly, and the young colt carries 

 the long list of his ancestors about with him, for the 

 rest of his natural life." 



But does not the hair grow over and cover these 

 slight marks? 



" The hair never grows long enough to cover them 

 45 



