DOMESTICATED MAMMALS AND THEIR USES 



237 



the domesticated species of horse, it must not be forgotten that 

 equines, like camelines, were originally evolved in North America. 

 The horse, like many other forms domesticated from ancient 

 times, presents a great variety of breeds, produced by artificial 

 selection, and suitable for widely different purposes. Arabians, 

 Clydesdales, and Shetland ponies or " shelties ", may be taken as 

 examples (figs. 1171-1173). 



Fig. 1172. A Clydesdale 



It is unnecessary to dwell upon the important services rendered 

 by the horse to man, alike during peace and in times of war, as a 

 draught animal and for riding purposes. And among our dumb 

 intimates he ranks second only to the dog. The return of live 

 stock of the United Kingdom for June, 1903, included 2,069,859 

 horses, a modest total compared to over i6*/ millions possessed 

 by the United States, and over 22 millions by Russia. 



Horse-flesh is by no means unimportant as an article of food, 

 and probably plays a more prominent part in the dietary of Europe 

 than is commonly suspected. The hide is of considerable value, 

 and horse-hair is put to various uses, though the once familiar 



