1905-6.] Francis H. A. Marshall on the Horse in Norway. 31 
this way the red colour of many of the Faroe ponies may probably 
be accounted for. But since the “ Celtic ” ponies of the British 
Isles are not altogether dissimilar to the fjord horses, it is probable 
that they themselves have had a Scandinavian origin,* and been 
subsequently crossed with other horses of Libyan extraction. 
In view of these considerations, it seems to me by no means impos- 
sible that the primitive small-headed pony of North-West Europe 
(the horse of the Brighton Elephant Bed) was more closely represented 
in recent times by the dun-coloured Fjordhest (now probably 
extinct in its pure form except in Iceland) than by the red or 
dark-coloured Hebridean and Faroe ponies ; and I am disposed to 
agree with Professor Bidgeway that certain of the characteristics 
of the existing “ Celtic ” ponies (whether in the Hebrides, or 
in the Faroes, or in Iceland), including possibly the absence of 
hock callosities and ergots (which has been shown to be a 
Libyan character), may be due in part to an infusion of Libyan 
blood, f 
In conclusion, I wish to thank Professor J. C. Ewart for valuable 
suggestions and information, as well as to express my indebtedness 
to Lord Melville, H.B.M. Consul-General at Christiania, Mr 
Borchgrevink of the Norwegian Agricultural Department, Mr T. 
Townshend Somerville of Christiania, Mr Gran, jun., of Bergen, 
Dr Appelov of the Bergen Museum, Mr Johann Fleischer of 
Yossevangen, and others who rendered me assistance in my 
investigations in Norway. 
* This is also rendered very probable by the fact, mentioned above, that 
a number of the Norse colonists settled for some time in the British Isles. 
t Mr Lydekker, in a recent review of Professor Ridgeway’s “ Thoroughbred 
Horse” ( Nature , December 7th, 1905) expresses a doubt as to whether the 
“Celtic” and “forest” varieties, as well as E. przewalskii, should not be 
regarded as representing a single northern dun-coloured type, which is to be 
contrasted with a southern and eastern bay type, including the Barbs and 
Arabs. I am unable to share in the opinion that the first three varieties form 
one natural group. Representatives of the “forest” or cart-horse type are 
not 1 1 typically small animals with . . . tails often imperfectly haired at the 
base,” neither is the “Celtic” pony ordinarily large-headed and intractable 
in temper. (For Mr Lydekker’s views concerning the origin of the Barb and 
Thoroughbred, see Knowledge , August 1904.) 
