263 
ON BREEDING. 
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birds, and plants. Virgil, in his rules for the improvements in 
husbandry, has described the influence of climate and soil on the 
different productions of the earth: they are so just, and likewise 
so general, that they require no apology for their insertion : 
“ Ilic segetes, illic veniunt felicius uvae: 
Arborei fetus alibi, atque injussa vercscunt 
Gramina. Nonne vkles, croceos ut Imolus odorcs, 
India mittit ebur, molles sua tliura Sabaei? 
At Chalybes nudi ferrum, virosa Pontus 
Castorea, Eliadum pal mas Epiros equarum ,— Georg. Lib. i. 
The influence of climate and soil on the horse species has 
been observed from the earliest antiquity. Herodotus remarks the 
different countries that are celebrated for peculiar breeds of those 
useful animals. “ The horses of the Sigynse,” he says, “a peo¬ 
ple beyond the Is ter, are so low in stature, and of such feeble 
make, as not to be able to carry a man. Those in the Indies,” 
he observes, (< the last inhabited country towards the east, were 
also exceedingly diminutive; whilst those of Thessaly were con¬ 
sidered so very large and beautiful, and were held in such high 
estimation, that Admetus, prince of Thessaly, on the death of 
his wife, ordered his subjects to cut the manes of all the chariot 
horses. 
“ Tf0^7T7ra te ^evywertie Kj (jlov&iattvxck; 
aiSngco t e[avet ccv^ivuv (poQr,v." 
This speech being as much as to say, “ All that belongs to me, 
all that have any share of my regard, shall aid me in deploring 
my domestic loss.” 
Niseeus, a district in Media, was likewise remarkable for pro¬ 
ducing horses of an extraordinary size. Xerxes, in the Grecian 
expedition, was drawn in a chariot by Nisman horses. Strabo 
also takes notice of them: he says, that they were used chiefly 
by kings, being the best and largest breed. 
“ Adroit eo-i Kj [AsyiroH; 
They are said to have been of a golden colour, 
“ Eiva* 7ra,<70{," 
Horace sings the praises of Argos, a city of Acliaia, which, 
for the great store of pasture for horses was called Argos I-Iippi- 
um, to distinguish it from other cities of that name in Greece. 
Horses are reared in every county in England ; but the greatest 
number of good ones are produced in Yorkshire, where they are 
particularly celebrated for their spirit and beauty. This county 
has long been famous for its superior breeds, and may be re- 
