THE TARTAR HORSE, &C. 
43 ~ 
The Parthian kings used to sacrifice Persian horses to 
their divinities ; this they considered the most costly offer¬ 
ing they could make. 
THE TARTAR HORSE. 
In the widely extended plains of independent Tartary, 
there are various breeds of wild horses, which differ con¬ 
siderably in their external conformation. Those in general 
are ill-made, clumsy animals, but are said to possess great 
speed. They are hunted by the natives on account of their 
flesh, which is considered a great delicacy, more especially 
that of the foals, which is prized above that of all other 
food. The better formed animals are tamed and domesti¬ 
cated. 
The largest of these wild coursers are a little larger than 
the smaller Russian horses, with large heads in proportion to 
the size of the body, and some of them have ears nearly as 
long as those of asses ; their mane is very short and curled, 
their tails more or less covered with hair, but always shorter 
than that of a common horse, and certainly far from being 
a graceful ornament. They are for the most part of a 
mouse colour, and a few are of an ash-grey ; their coat is 
very long, and extremely thick. 
THE TOORKOMAN HORSE. 
Turkistan is situate to the north of the Caspian Sea, or 
South Tartary, and has been long celebrated for a breed of 
horses possessing great physical powers : these are called 
Toorkomans. Some travellers affirm that they are greatly 
superior to the Persian race for enduring long-continued 
exertion. 
In their form, however, they are by no means attractive, 
being too small in the barrel, with too long legs, with lank 
