704 
MISCELLANEA 
Colonel Chesney’s Account of the Arabian Horse. 
“ Elsewhere, individuals of this species may be more showy, 
and even more powerful ; but it is only in Arabia that the horse 
is found bordering on perfection. Here he is remarkable for a small 
head with pointed ears, peculiarly clean muscular limbs, a corre- 
sponding delicate slender shape, rather small size, and large ani- 
mated eyes, expressing that intelligence which, as in the dog, is 
the consequence of being constantly with the members of his mas- 
ter’s family ; in fact, he generally shares their meals. 
“ He is frequently allowed to frolic through the camp like a dog, 
and at other times he is picqueted at the entrance of the tent; he 
is exposed to the weather at all times, and, compared with the 
treatment of his species in Europe, he is scantily fed. A meal 
after sunset, consisting of barley, in some parts of the country, 
and camel’s milk in others, or a paste of dates and water, which in 
Nedjd is mixed with dried clover and other herbs, constitutes his 
usual sustenance ; but, on any extraordinary exertion being re- 
quired, flesh is frequently given, either raw or boiled. The 
Bedawins count five noble breeds of horses, all, it is understood, 
derived originally from Nedjd, viz. the taneyse, the manekeye, the 
koheyl or koklani, the saklawye, and the julfa; of which the last 
and koklani are particularly prized. The julfa, a small active ani- 
mal, capable of enduring great fatigue, belongs to the province of 
El Ah’sa ; the other, which is larger, is from Yemen, or, more pro- 
perly, Nedjd, and is most valued. Of the choice breeds there are 
many branches ; there are, besides, other breeds, which are con- 
sidered secondary ; and every mare of noble blood, if particularly 
swift and handsome, may give rise to a new stock. The catalogue 
of distinct breeds in the desert is, therefore, almost endless, and 
the pedigrees of individuals are varied by certificates which are 
handed down from father to son with infinite care ; and not unfre- 
quently they belong to more than one family, for there is often a 
co-partnership in mares, and hence arises the difficulties attending 
the purchase of one. It is, however, certain that the Arab horses 
deteriorate when taken elsewhere, although both sire and dam may 
be of first-rate breeds : by the latter, and not the former, as with us, 
the Arabs trace the blood. The prevailing colours are a clear bay, 
sorrel, white, chestnut, gray, brown, and black ; but the number 
of horses in Arabia is comparatively few, their places, for almost 
every purpose in life, being supplied by camels.” 
