454 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



highest reputation of any in Europe ; But the little atten- 

 tion which has been lately paid to their education has 

 considerably diminished the number of good horses in 

 Spain. The head of the Spanish Horse is a little large 

 and strong, the ears lie somewhat low, and are generally 

 rather long. The forehand is strong, somewhat too 

 fleshy, and the crupper turned rather like that of the 

 Mules. They have a little belly, and their stature is ordi- 

 narily about four feet six or eight. Their motions are ex- 

 ceedingly supple, and they have much fire, docility, grace, 

 and action. Their vices are probably more to be attributed 

 to defective education, and a bad system of farriery than 

 to nature. They are equally weli adapted for the manage 

 and for cavalry. 



The Horses of Spain have been in esteem from the time 

 of the Romans, but it seems very probable that there is an 

 intermixture of Barbary blood in the modern race of that 

 country. The provinces of Andalusia, Grenada, andEstre- 

 madura, have always, exclusively of the rest of Spain 

 furnished the most distinguished horses. The district of 

 Xeres in particular has always produced the most esteemed. 

 Two races are found there perfectly distinct, one remark- 

 able for its elegance and fine proportions, which does not 

 retain its full development until six or seven years old, is 

 preserved in all its purity at the Chartreuse of Xeres, and 

 by a small number of proprietors. It is rather long in the 

 limbs, which, while it detracts from the solidity of its 

 figure, adds to the gracefulness of its motions, and is con- 

 sidered as a perfection by the Spaniards. The other race 

 is large, less elegant, formed more for strength, and more 

 multiplied. 



The Horses of Germany have never been in any great 

 request. The breeds, however, have been, to a certain 

 extent ameliorated within the last hundred years. Most 

 of the princes of Germany have very excellent horses in 



