204 MAMMALIA. 



which was slender in shape, with fine and sinewy limbs, has been 

 spoiled, according to M. Sanson, by being crossed with the 

 English tj'pe. 



The Horses of Auvergne differ but slightly from the Limousin 

 breed, although they are somewhat modified, better fitting them 

 for a mountainous country. Their appearance is also not so 

 pleasing ; their height is less, and the croup is shorter and lower 

 than in the former. They are, however, excellent servants, abste- 

 mious and docile in their habits, full of spirit and vivacity, having 

 a strongljr-marked characteristic. It seems an acknowledged fact, 

 that the influence of the English stallions has been injurious in 

 this district also, the progeny having a tendency to become vicious. 



The Horses of the Landes of Aude and Camargue are aU 

 descended from the Arab type. They are smaller than those of 

 Limousin and Auvergne, and less to be admired for shape ; but 

 they possess the same energy, combined with a kind of wild 

 independence. Thej^ are natives of the uncultivated districts 

 adjacent to the Mediterranean. The following, according to M. 

 Ga^'ot, are the characteristics of the Camargue Horse : — ■ 



In England he would be denominated a pony, for " He is 

 smaU, his height measuring from thirteen to thirteen hands 

 and a half ; it is but seldom that he is tall enough to reach 

 the limit for a light cavalry charger. His coat is always of a 

 greyish white. Although the head is large, and sometimes 

 'Roman-nosed,' it is generally squarely made and well set on ; the 

 ears are short and widelj^ separated, the ej^es are lively and well 

 ojDened, the crest is straight and slender, but sometimes ewe- 

 necked ; the shoidder is short and upright, but yet the withers are 

 of a suflicient height ; the back is prominent, the reins wide, but 

 long, and badlj^ set on ; the croup is short and drooping, the 

 haunches are poor, the hocks narrow and close, but yet strong; 

 the foot is very sure and naturally good, but wide, and sometimes 

 even flat. The Camargue Horse is active, abstemious, mettlesome, 

 high-sjjirited, and capable of enduring both bad weather and 

 fasting. For centm-ies he has maintained the same t'^'pe, not- 

 withstanding the state of distress to which he is sometimes 

 reduced by carelessness and neglect." * 



These small Horses are kept in the marshes and wild meadows 



* Guide dti. Sportsmai>, or Traite de rjSiitrai/iemait et des Courses de Chcvaux. 



