598 
REVIEW. 
“The head of every horse should be as small as would he in keeping 
with the rest of his body. A large, coarse head is a defect in every 
person’s eye, and it has no advantages to counterbalance its deformity. 
The muzzle should be fine, and of a moderate length ; the mouth inva¬ 
riably deep for receiving and retaining the bit; and the lips rather thin 
and firmly compressed.” 
“As in the human being, so in the horse, a great deal of the expres¬ 
sion of the countenance depends on the eye. It is a most marvellous 
index to the working of the mind within. A glance at it will often re¬ 
veal the benevolent feeling, the sulky disposition, or the vicious propen¬ 
sity that is about to manifest itself. The reason of all this must be 
obvious, when we remember that it is in direct communication with the 
brain—the material instrument through which the mind operates. 
The eye of the horse should be kindly, strong, bold, and fiery, yet 
gentle looking.”—pp. 11, 14. 
The observations on the colour of the hair, and the form 
of the head, are so obvious to all who possess any practical 
knowledge of the horse, as to need no comment. 
“ The colour of the hair should also be taken into account, although 
it has frequently been said that a good horse is never of a bad colour, 
or, in plainer language, that it matters not, beyond the mere item of 
taste, what his colour may be. This, l imagine, is a decided mistake, 
as the colour of the hair has as much to do with the temperament of 
the horse as it has with the temperament of a man. Observation has 
led the public to this conclusion practically, as is proved by the every¬ 
day saying, that such or such a horse is of a hardy colour. How seldom 
do we find a jet black or a wishy-washy chestnut with as much pluck as 
a rich chestnut, a deep-blood bay, or a dark brown ! The former 
colours are generally connected with soft, scrofulous constitutions, 
whilst the latter as often indicate fineness of texture and capacity for 
endurance.”—p. 15. 
The description given of the form of the chest of the horse 
is, in our opinion, very good. In treating of this subject, 
the author briefly describes a part only of its anatomy, with 
what he considers to be the best form for speed and endu¬ 
rance ; he likewise alludes to the physiology of respiration, 
and the circulation. 
A few pages are devoted by him to the structure of bone, 
and muscle. These will be found to assist the reader in 
understanding many things as he proceeds. The form of the 
shoulder, the obliquity of the scapula, and the necessity of 
the muscles which attach the shoulder to the trunk being 
well developed, are dwelt upon with a view to their physio¬ 
logical importance, and with the discernment of a practical 
horseman. 
“ There is a peculiarity in the attachment of the shoulder-blade to 
