ON THE HORSE. 301 



and is indeed part of it : men, women, children, 

 mares, and foals, all lie in one common tent, 

 and they lodge promiscuously without fear of - 

 injury. ,-; 



This constant intercourse produces a fami- 

 liarity that could not otherwise be effected; 

 and creates a tractability in the horses that 

 could arise only from a regular good usage, 

 little acts of kindness, and a soothing language, 

 which they are accustomed to from their ma- 

 sters : they are quite unacquainted with the 

 spur ; the lest touch with the stirrup sets these ' 

 airy coursers in motion ; they start forward with 

 a fleetness which surpasses that of the Ostrich,* 

 yet they are so well trained as to stop in their 

 most rapid speed by the slightest check of the 

 rider: there are sometimes instances of their 

 being mounted without either bridle or saddle, 

 when they shew such compliance to their rider's 

 will, as to be directed in their course by the 

 mere motion of a switch.')' - ' 



Paret in obsequiiim lentce. moderamlne *virgcE^ 

 Verbera sunt prcecepta fug(P, sunt >verbera 

 jr(j£na.\ 



* For an account of Its speed, vide Adanson s voy . 85. 



f Tavernieis Travels, i. 03. *' 



X Nemesion Ci/neg. 267. .•■":"'■,,, '.'■-'^ »4:.,,v"i'J- j-'X' 



