NOKWEGIAN PONIES. 
During 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 
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