208 MAMMALIA. 



We have hitherto directed our attention to high-bred Horses 

 alone ; we must now take a glance at some of the commoner 

 breeds, especially those belonging to France, taking for our guide 

 throuo-hout M. Sanson's excellent work [ApjMcations de la Zoo- 

 tcchnie). 



The Flemish Horse, which is, in fact, as much Belgian as French, 

 is of great height and immense bulk. Its face is very long, 

 narrow, and prominent at the extremity ; the nostrils small ; the 

 mouth large, with flat cheeks ; its ear is thick, long, and slightly 

 drooping ; its eye small ; the crest short and overloaded with 

 mane ; its body long, and croup channeled. Its limbs are very 

 largely made and thickly covered with rough hair. Its feet are 

 large and flat, and its temper is lymphatic. It is but dull at work 

 and devoid of fire ; its strength lying in its enormous weight. 

 This breed, somewhat improved by training, furnishes the brewers 

 of Paris with those colossi of the equine race which are the 

 admiration of all. 



Kothing can be more beautiful than the type of the German 

 Ilorso which is represented in Fig. 60. 



The Horses of the Boulonais breed (Fig. 61) are shaped like 

 the preceding, with the exception of their size and the form of 

 the head. They are easy-tempered, docile, vigorous, and energetic ; 

 their eyes, too, are full of resolution. They are natives of the 

 Department of Pas-de-Calais, and chiefly of the district of Bou- 

 logne. Some of the colts are sent into the districts of Arras, 

 Sainte-Pol, and Abbeville. Others cross the Department of 

 Somme, and are trained in the countries of Caux and Vimeux, 

 being distributed over the Departments of Oise, Aisne, Seine-et- 

 Marne, .Eure-et-Loir, and the Seine-Inferieure. The difference of 

 climates and agricultural conditions stamps a variety of modifi- 

 cations on the Boulonais type, chieflj^ with respect to stature. 

 It is this breed which supplies nearlj^ all the Horses employed in 

 trade in Paris for heavj^ carriage not requiring sjieed. 



We must also mention the Ardennes breed, which furnishes 

 good Draught-horses for artillery, and is very similar in type to 

 the Breton Horse, of which we are about to speak. 



The Breton Draught-horses have the brow high and square, the 

 face short, with the forehead sunken, nostrils open, mouth small, 

 eye lively, and physiognomy expressive. The mane is double, 



