ORDER PACHYDERMATA. 449 



means Horses whose genealogy is known for two thousand 

 years. This race, say the Arabs, originated from the studs 

 of Solomon. The individuals composing it are sometimes 

 sold at such enormous prices as appears almost incredible. 

 They boast that these horses are capable of performing the 

 most wonderful journeys, of sustaining the greatest fatigues, 

 and passing entire days without nutriment; and of their 

 impetuosity in attacking the enemy, and fidelity and attach- 

 ment to their masters, many marvellous tales are related. 



In the breeding of the Kochlani Horses, the Arabs use the 

 utmost precaution to avoid being deceived on the point of 

 genealogy. The Mares are covered in the presence of a 

 witness, who remains near them twenty days to make sure 

 that they are not dishonoured by any vulgar Stallion. The 

 same witness must also be present at the accouchement ; 

 and a certificate of the legitimate birth of the colt is made 

 out within the seven first days subsequent to that event. 

 Whenever all the prescribed formalities have 'not been 

 rigorously performed, the colt is considered to be Kadischi ; 

 and whatever advantages he may possess, he is yet a serious 

 loser in consequence of the non-authentication of his birth. 

 These precautions prove how amazingly jealous the Arabs 

 are of preserving their better race of horses in the most 

 Untainted purity of descent. 



This race is principally cultivated by the Bedouin Arabs 

 between Bassora, Merdin, and Syria. They sell the Stal- 

 lions without any difficulty, but as we have already hinted, 

 at a most enormous price ; but they will by no means 

 consent to sell the Mares, and these last are never obtained 

 by strangers, except fraudulently or by dint of excessive 

 bribery. These Mares enjoy the exclusive privilege of 

 transmitting the purity of the race to their descendants, 

 and the genealogies are always reckoned from the mothers. 



It is to be observed that the Mares of the Kochlani race 

 are never covered by Kadischi Stallions ; should that, how- 



