NORWEGIAN PONIES. 



DuEiNG the time I spent in travelling in Norway I 

 was much struck by the remarkable fact that a very large 

 number of the ponies were of a dun colour, exhibiting 

 striped markings about the legs, very similar to the 

 markings on the legs of zebras. This was most con- 

 spicuous in the infant or foal state. Not only were their 

 legs so striped and marked, but most of them showed a 

 dark line down the centre of the back ; many of them had 

 also shoulder stripes, like donkeys. I have counted on 

 some individuals as many as three of these shoulder 

 stripes. In the common ass these stripes upon the legs 

 are not unfrequent. My idea, for many years, has been that 

 the origin of our domestic horse must have been by the 

 commingling of some striped animal of the equine form, 

 and that the race of ponies in Norway is of very ancient 

 breed, in which the tracing of the origin has not died out. 



Until of late years horses were not usually imported into 

 Norway. 



Travelling in that country is safer and easier with the 

 native ponies than with larger and more powerful animals. 

 I can only say that the ponies and the people are to be 

 admired for their gentleness and good behaviour. A whip 

 or stick is not necessary, and is not allowed to be used by 

 the owners of these ponies. These creatures are so tame 

 that the children almost as soon as they can run fondle 



212 



