ifiS rriSTOiiV OF 



■IS the most pertfttly formed ; and yet, what is extraordinary 

 enough, if we examine him internally, his structure will be found 

 the most different from that of man of idl other quadrupeds 

 whatsoever. As the ape approaches us the nearest ii; internal 

 conformation, so the horse is the most remote ;' a striking proof 

 that there may be oppositions of beauty, and that all grace is 

 not to be referred to one standard. 



To have an idea of this noble animal in his native simplicity, 

 we are not to look for hiiri in the pastures or the stables to 

 which he has been consigned by man ; but in those wild and 

 extensive plains where he has been originally produced ; where 

 he ranges without control, and riots in all the variety of luxu- 

 rious nature. In this state of happy independence, he disdains 

 the assistance of man, which only tends to servitude. In those 

 boundless tracts, whether of Africa or New Spain, where he 

 runs at liberty, he seems no way incommoded with the incon- 

 veniences to which he is subject in Europe. The continual ver. 

 dure of the fields supplies his wants ; and the climate, that never 

 knows a winter, suits his constitution, which naturally seems 

 adapted to heat. His enemies of the forest are but few, for 

 none but the greater kinds will venture to attack him : any one 

 of these he is singly able to overcome ; while, at the same time, 

 he is content to find safety in society ; for the wild horses of 

 tliose countries always herd together. 



In these countries, therefore, the horses are often seen feed- 

 ing in droves of five or six hundred. As they do not carry on war 

 against any other race of animals, they are satisfied to remain 

 entirely upon the defeireive. The pastures on which they live 

 satisfy all their appetites, and all other precautions are purely for 



rupeils, is, nevertheless, citpable of manifesting the varied ernotioun of pride, 

 docility, couratic, and caution. 



The ppecios of this genus are six, namely, the horse, ass, common zebra, 

 zfb.-a of the plains, qiiagga, dziggtai, with the mule, which may be regarded 

 as a sub-species. 



It is not possible to determine whether the fossil bones of horses, which 

 are found, in strata, associated with the bones of other extinct species of 

 animals, are really of a distinct species from any that at present exist ; hut, 

 •.id^ius; from sinnhiffv, we are warranted in supposincr them to be so. ri.ere 

 ( so little difference in the bones of this genus, that the most skilful osteo- 

 ognsls lire unable, from them, to determine the species, which they can dis. 

 ijiguish with e;ise and certainty in almost every other aoiinal. 

 1 Histoire N;iturelle, D;iubcnton, vol. vii. p. S"i 



