THE HOUSE.— NO. 4 . 
171 
Having described the cavity of the nose, and its contents, as 
connected with the sense of smell, and with the voice, he goes 
on:— 
“ The extension of the nostril at the lower part of these 
cavities is an important part of the face, and intimately connected 
with breeding, courage, and speed. All the air which goes to 
and returns from the lungs must pass through the nostrils. In 
the common act of breathing, these are sufficiently large ; but 
when the animal is put on his speed, and the respiration is quick¬ 
ened, these passages must dilate, or he will be much distressed. 
The expanded nostril is a striking feature in the blood-horse, es¬ 
pecially when he has been excited and not over-blown: and the 
painful and spasmed stretching of this part, in the poor over¬ 
driven post-horse, will shew how necessary it is that the passage 
to the lungs should be free and open. The nostril should not 
only be large, but the skin and substance which cover the en¬ 
trance into the nose should be thin and elastic, more readily to 
yield when the necessity of the animal requires a greater supply 
of air, and afterwards to return to their natural dimensions. 
Therefore, nature, which adapts the animal to his situation and 
use, has given to the cart-horse, that is seldom blown, a confined 
nostril, and surrounded by much cellular substance, and a thick 
skin; and to the horse of more breeding, whose use consists in 
his speed and his continuance, a wider nostril and much more 
flexible. The inhabitants of some countries were accustomed to 
slit the nostrils of their horses, that they might be less distressed 
in the severe and long continued exertion of their speed. The 
Icelanders do so to the present day. There is no necessity for 
this, for nature has made ample provision for all the ordinary and 
even extraordinary exertion we can require from the horse*. 
Some very powerful muscles proceed from different parts of the 
face to the neighbourhood of the nostrils, to draw them back, 
and dilate them. 
“ There are also four distinct cartilages attached to the nostrils, 
which, as soon as these muscles cease to act, by their elasticity, 
bring back the nostrils to their former dimensions. The bones of 
the nose are also sharpened off to a point, to give wider range for 
the action of the muscles; while the cartilages are so contrived as 
not only to discharge the office we have mentioned, but to pro¬ 
tect this projection of bone from injury. 
* De Grey, whose u Complete Horseman,” was published in 1657 , re¬ 
commends that a stumbling or crippled horse should have his nose cut open, 
and the two tendons which go to the lip divided; and “this,” says he, 
“ will give him the use of his legs so perfectly, as that he will seldom or 
never trip any 111016.” Farriers adopt many absurd and cruel practices 
now-a days, but nothing half so barbarous as this. 
