EQUUS. 
bore off the prize. He is stated to have 
run a mile in very little more than a minute, 
and his general progress on a four mile 
course was at the rate of eighty-two feetand 
a half in a second. Eclipse was almost 
equally swift with Childers, and was consi- 
derably stronger. His form was by no 
means considered as handsome, as indeed 
his dimensions deviated very considerably 
from those which were supposed to consti- 
tute the standard of perfect beauty in the 
horse ; but on the most minute examination, 
his structure w'as found to be contrived 
with the most exquisite mechanism for 
speed. This horse died at the age of 
twenty-six years, which though unques- 
tionably great, has been often considerably 
exceeded. Matcliem, another celebrated 
racer, died at the age of thirty-two. For 
the race horse see Mammalia, Plate XI. 
fig. 1. 
The hnnter is another distinct class of 
horses in England, where it is brought, by 
minute attention to breeding, to a high de- 
gree of excellence. With a considerable 
portion of the speed of the race-horse, it 
combines inexpressibly more strength ; and 
the exertions which it often endures and 
survives in violent chases of several hours 
continuance, are a decided proof of its 
vigour and value. 
The draught-liorse constitutes another 
class of these most interesting animals, and 
is no where advanced to such size and power 
as in Great Britain. Yorkshire and Lincoln- 
shire arc the most celebrated counties for 
this breed, whence several have been brought 
to London which have each, for a short dis- 
tance drawn, without difficulty, the weight 
of three tons, half of which is considered as 
the regular draught. A horse of this class 
was exhibited as a curiosity in London in 
the year 1 805, no less than twenty hands in 
height. For the cart-horse see Mammalia, 
Plate XI. fig. S'. 
The colour of the horse is generally con- 
sidered as a matter of trifling consequence. 
A bright or shining bay appears in this 
country to obtain the preference. In 
China, what are called pie-bald horses, are in 
particular estimation. On occasions of 
particular state in England, eight horses of a 
cream colour draw the royal carriage. The 
ancients appear to have connected their 
ideas of pomp and dignity on similar occa- 
sions with the perfect white, in allusion to 
which the classics furnish an infinity of cir- 
cumstances. Absolute whiteness in the 
horse is, in this country, in almost every in- 
stance, the effect of age, which expuilges 
the dark spot of the original grey. The 
improvement of the horse has, within a few 
years, been an object of the attention of go- 
vernment, as well as of enlightened indivi- 
duals ; and establishments have been formed 
on a liberal scale for the promotion of vete- 
rinary science. In France the government 
has recently devoted considerable attention 
to this highly important subject ; and, 
during the last year only (1807) a very con- 
siderable number of veterinary schools or 
colleges w r ere instituted in the capital, and 
the principal cities of the departments. 
E. asinus, the ass. A warm climate is 
favourable to this species (as also indeed 
to the horse), which is found in various 
parts of Africa in a state of nature, in which 
it is gregarious, and displays very consider- 
able beauty, and even sprightliness. In the 
mountainous territories of Tartary, and in 
the south of India and Persia, asses occur 
in great abundance, and are said to be 
here either absolutely white, or of a pale 
grey. Their hair also is reported to be 
bright and silky. In Persia asses are ex- 
tremely in use, and supply for different 
purposes two very different races, one 
heavy and slow, and the other slight, 
sprightly, and agile, which last is exclu- 
sively kept for the saddle. The practice is 
prevalent in that country of slitting the 
nostrils of these animals, by which it is ima- 
gined they breathe with greater freedom, 
and can consequently sustain greater exer- 
tion. The ass is stated to have been un- 
known in England before the reign of Eli- 
zabeth. It is now, however, completely 
naturalized, and its services to the poor, 
and consequently to the rich, are of dis- 
tinguished, and almost indispensible im- 
portance. With respect to food, a little is 
sufficient for its wants, and the most coarse 
and neglected herbage supplies it with an 
acceptable repast. The plaintain is its 
most favourite herbage. In the choice of 
water it is, however, extremely fastidious, 
drinking only of that which is perfectly 
pure and clear. It is one of the most pa- 
tient and persevering of animals, but in 
connection with these qualities, it possesses 
also great sluggishness, and often obstinacy. 
Owing to the extreme thickness ol its skin, 
it possesses little sensibility to the applica- 
tion of the whip or the stings of insects, 
and the want of moisture, united to the 
above circumstance, precludes it more ef- 
fectually than, perhaps-, any other quadru- 
ped, from the annoyance of vermin. The 
