As to the original country of the horse we are still in some doubt; we know, however, that he was originally an inhabitant of Asia, for there he is found in the present day roving in unrestrained freedom. The great desert, round the sea of Aral and the Caspian Sea, has been supposed to be his native country. History tells us that, in the second century, horses were exported from Egypt to Arabia as presents to their kings, from which we may conjecture that their finest horses were originally the produce of Egyptian steeds, whence they were also exported to Ethiopia, India, Persia, Armenia, Scythia, and other places.

Herodotus, another old school-friend, tells us that the Ethiopians had a good breed of horses, and that the Persian horses were famous for their beauty, vigour, fire, and other qualities. The Huns, a powerful nation, three hundred years before the Christian era, were formidable solely from their cavalry. The Parthians were also famous for their horses, and for the skill with which they trained them. The very name of Parthia, derived from parthos, signifies horsemen in the Chaldean language. The Armenian horses were equal to those of the Parthians. The Medes and Scythians were also proverbial for the excellence of their horses, while the Turks, both of Asia and Europe, are celebrated for their skill as equestrians. The Numidians and Libyans were celebrated for their ascendancy over the horse; they rode without saddle or bridle, having only a switch to command and guide them. The peasantry of Barbary still continue the same mode of governing their horses.

The ancients had a practice of impressing some mark on their horses; the most general were Σ (sigma), and K (kappa), and the head of a bullock, and distinguishing them by these marks they were called

Bucephali. Some authors have supposed that the celebrated horse of Alexander the Great derived his name from a bull's head impressed on him; but we are informed by Aulus Gellius that the appellation was derived from the resemblance of his head to that of a bull. Some authors have supposed that there were originally two species of horses; one from the western deserts, and the other from the low alluvial lands of Europe. However this may be, it is certainly true, that horses of almost every nation vary in a material degree from each other, both in external form and qualities. In districts not very far from each other we find breeds vastly different-as for instance, the large breed of Clydesdale and the pigmy pony of Mull and other islands of Scotland.

The Barse in his Natural State.

To have an idea of the horse in his natural state, we are not to look for him in the pasture or the stables, but in those wild and extensive plains where he ranges without constraint and riots in all the variety of luxurious nature. Wild horses are always to be met with in droves of from five hundred to a thousand, seldom exceeding the former number in Asia or Africa. They are peaceable, content with their native places and pasture. When attacked they unite for the purposes of defence, and woe be to the wild beast that dares to attack them. Wild horses usually retire to the confines of a forest to repose. One or more of them are always awake to keep watch while the rest are asleep, and who warn their fellows of

any approaching danger, by loud snorting and neighing; upon this signal they start to their feet, and either reconnoitre the enemy, or fly off with the swiftness of the wind, followed by the scntinel or the patriarch of the herd.

In the desert tract, along the sides of the river Don, in Russia, there are numerous troops of wild horses. The Cossacks frequently take them, and breed from them by mixing them with the domesticated horse. These herds are said to be the descendants of the Russian horses taken from the Turks, and used by the Russians at the siege of Azoph, in 1696, who were compelled, through want of forage, to set at liberty nearly the whole of the horses belonging to the cavalry to seek food for themselves. They are now quite wild, and associate in brooks in the same manner as other wild horses. Those herds which have remained close to the alluvial and fertile banks of the river are of a large size, owing to the richness of their food. The herds of the mountain district are short and scrubby like their food.

In the vast plains of South America, immense troops of wild horses are to be found which have all sprung from emancipated individuals taken to that country by the Spaniards. Their geographical range extends from the shores of Patagonia to La Plata. Here they are to be met with in herds or troops of many thousands, sometimes as many as ten thousand individuals, who have always a leader to direct their movements. It is very dangerous for equestrian travellers to pass through these districts; for, if perceived by the wild horses, they will approach closely to them, make a rapid course round the traveller, and, with loud and inviting neighings, tempt the tame horses which are either saddled or loaded to join

them. If the rider does not use the utmost precautions, or the leader of the laden horse exercise his utmost care, they will either fling the rider, or throw off their burden, and precipitately join the wild troop, after which they are lost for ever. The whole troop seem delighted at the acquisition, and hurriedly fly off in a body to the desert.

In the province of Cumana, there are numerous wild horses associating in troops of several hundreds. They occupy the Great Savannas, where it is dangerous to disturb or to try to catch them. In the dry seasons they are sometimes forced to travel two or three leagues, and even more in search of water. They set out in regular ranks about four or five abreast, and thus form an extent of a quarter of a league. There are always five or six scouts, who precede the troop by about fifty paces. If they perceive a man, a puma, or a jagur, they neigh, and the troop stops; if avoided, they continue their march; but if an attempt be made to pass across their route, they leap on the imprudent traveller and crush him under their feet.

Should they be attacked by the puma or jagur, which are their principal enemies in America, by a particular signal which they all understand, they close into a dense mass and trample their assailant to death, or forming a circle, with the young and foals in their centre, defend themselves with their heels, and strike with such velocity, that no animal is capable of withstanding them.

Captain Hood, in his journey across the Pampas, gives us an interesting account of his meeting a wild troop in a district of the country where the population is pretty dense. Some of the unfortunate captured horses are supposed to be forced along by their

riders at full speed: he says, "As they are thus galloping along, urged by the spur, it is interesting to see the groups of wild horses one passes. The mares, which are never ridden in South America, seem not to understand what makes the poor horse carry his head so low and look so weary. The little innocent colts came running to meet him and then start away frightened, while the old horses, whose white marks on the back and flanks betray their acquaintances with the whip and bridle, walk slowly away for some distance, then break into a trot as they seek their safety, and then snort and look behind them, first with one eye and then with the other, turning their noses from right to left, and carrying their long tails high in the air. Sometimes the only chance the rider has is to clap spurs to the side of his steed and force him in the most rapid flight away from the temptation."

Different kinds of Lorses.

The Arabian horse is one of the most celebrated kinds of horses. In that country he is preserved pure, without any admixture of breeds. The pure Arabian horse is somewhat smaller than our horse. His head is very beautiful, clean, and wide between the jaws; the forehead is broad and square; the face flat; the muzzle short and fine; the eyes prominent and brilliant; the ears small and handsome; the nostrils large and open; and the skin beautifully thin through which the meandering veins may be traced. Bishop Heber gives the following interesting account of his docility. He says, "My morning rides are very pleasant; my horse is a nice,