GUIDE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SPECIMENS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HORSE FAMILY 
 
 (EquidaB) 
 
 EXHIBITED IN 
 
 THE DEPARTMENT OP ZOOLOGY, 
 BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY), 
 
 CBOMWEIiL ROAD, LONDON. B.W. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 26 FIQURBB. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINiiiL/ BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE 
 BRITISH MUSEUM. 
 
 1907. 
 
 PRICE ONE SHILLING, 
 
c H./Z-lSMes ^ BR ?x ^1 
 
 JOHNA.SEAVERNS 
 
014 532 333 
 
 Webber Family Library of Veterinary' Medicine 
 Cumrnings School ot Veterinary Medicine at 
 Tufts University 
 200 Westboro Road 
 North Grafton, WiA 01536 
 
GUIDK 
 
 TO THE 
 
 siPEioiiMiEnsrs 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HORSE FAMILY 
 
 (EQUIDiE) 
 
 EXHIBITED IN 
 
 THE DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, 
 BRITISH IVIUSEUIVI (NATURAL HISTORY), 
 
 CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, S.W. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 26 FIGURES. 
 
 LONDON : 
 PIlI^TED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
 
 1907. 
 
 All rir/Jits reserved. 
 

 AT.EEE 1 TLAMMAM, 
 
 PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS. 
 KED LTON COURT, FLF.KT STKKirr. 
 
PEEFACE 
 
 Owing to the great interest attaching to the Horse and its. 
 relatives (alike from the point of view of the naturalist, the 
 breeder, and the sportsman) it has been decided to issue a 
 special Guide- Book to the specimens of this group exhibited 
 in the public Galleries of the Zoological Department of the 
 Museum. 
 
 It is hoped that the following pages will not only tend to 
 stimulate this interest, but that they will also lead to the 
 presentation of ''^ record ''^ specimens for preservation in the 
 National Collection. In the case of skeletons of celebrated 
 thoroughbreds, Arabs, and other breeds, their true interest can 
 only be fully appreciated when they are brought together in 
 a large series. It is only in a great public museum that the 
 proper care and preservation of sucli specimens can be assured. 
 
 The present Guide-Book is the work of Mr. II. Lydekker. 
 
 E. KAY LANKESTER, 
 
 Director. 
 
 Bkitish Museum (Natural History). 
 October, 1907. 
 
1 
 
QUIDE 
 
 TO 
 
 THE HORSE FAMILY 
 
 -. Although frequently employed in zoology in a wide 
 
 I. u .. sense^ to indicate all the members of the family 
 Equid(Sj both living and extinct_, the term " Horse " 
 properly denotes only the well-known domesticated animal Equus 
 caballus and its half-wild or wild representatives. Since, more- 
 over, the Latin name was given by the Swedish naturalist Linnaeus, 
 it seems necessary to regard the domesticated Horses of Scandinavia 
 as the typical representatives of the species. 
 
 In these pages the term Horse is niainly used in the more 
 restricted sense. 
 
 Different views are entertained with regard to the limitations of 
 the family Equidce, some naturalists including in it all the extinct 
 animals belonging to the same line of descent, or "phylum/^ 
 while others restrict it to those more or less nearly related to the 
 living species. 
 
 _. 11 In the latter sense the Equidce are characterized by 
 
 the tall prismatic crowns and complex structure of 
 ^* their cheek-teeth, in which all the hollows and valleys 
 formed by the infoldings of enamel are filled by cement, so as to 
 form a grinding surface of a perfect type. Another feature is the 
 presence of an infolding of the enamel in the summits of the 
 incisors, thus producing what is called the '' mark.^^ In the skuil 
 
 B 
 
2 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 the enclosure of the socket of the eye by a complete bony ring is a 
 feature distinctive of the group. In all existing members of the 
 family, constituting the genus Equiis, there is only one toe on 
 each foot, although rudiments of lateral digits are represented 
 by the '' splint-bones '^ on each side of the upper end of the 
 cannon-bones. 
 
 Dentition '^^^^ dentition of the Horse is illustrated on one side of 
 of the the table-case placed near the middle of the North Hall; 
 Horse. the object of the specimens being to show the alterations 
 which take place with age. In all its features the dentition 
 displays special adaptation for the masticating of vegetable food, 
 such as the herbage of the open plains upon which the species 
 dwells in a state of nature. The front teeth or incisors are, for 
 instance, used for cropping off the blades and stems of grass, 
 while the cheek-teeth (molars and premolars) serve for crushing 
 and breaking them into fragments. The tusks, or canines, so 
 greatly developed in carnivorous animals, are comparatively small 
 even in the males, and rudimentary in the females. 
 
 The complete number of teeth in the addt Horse is that 
 characteristic of Ungulate or Hoofed Animals of the early Tertiary 
 period, viz.,thv^e incisors (i), one canine {c), four premolars (p), 
 and three molars (m) on each side above and below, or forty- four 
 in all. The first premolar {p. 1) is, however, very small, and 
 often wanting, especially in the lower-jaw; but instances of its 
 presence are shown m several specimens in the case ; these being 
 of interest, as remnants, on the point of disa})pearance, of a tooth 
 well developed in the Horse-like Animals of ancient times. 
 
 The incisors, as mentioned above, have an infolding of the 
 surface, constituting a deep pit (the '^mark^^), a feature now 
 confined to the Eqiiidce. In consequence of this pit extend- 
 ing only a certain depth into the crown, it becomes obliterated 
 as the tooth wears away, so that its presence is a guide to the 
 age of the animal. The six principal cheek-teeth are in close 
 contact by broad surfaces fitting tightly against each other, so 
 that they collectively form one solid mass, presenting a grinding- 
 surface composed of substances of various degrees of hardness 
 (enamel, dentine, and cement), interwoven into an intricate 
 pattern so as to make most efficient natural millstones. The 
 
Fig. 1. 
 
 a. 
 
 I. 
 
 c. 
 
 d 
 
 e. 
 
 The Ancestoks of the Horse and its relatives compared in size and 
 
 FORM with their TYPICAL MODERN REPRESENTATIVE. 
 
 a. Hyracotherium or Protorohippus, of the Lower Eocene ; h. Plagiolophus, 
 or Orohippus, of the Middle Eocene ; c. MeHohipjms, of the Oligocene ; 
 d. Merychippus, of the Miocene ; e. PUohippus, of the l^liocene ; f. The Modern 
 Horse, Equus caballus, domesticated breed. (LiiW, Amer. J. Sci. vol. xxiii, p. 167.) 
 
 [To /ace page's. 
 
 I 
 
TEETH. 3 
 
 grinding-face of the tooth always keeps at the same level, the 
 gradual wear of the superficial parts being compensated by the 
 pushing outwards of the whole tooth in its socket until, as may 
 be seen in the older specimens, nothing but the root is left. 
 
 The permanent teeth are preceded by a temporary or deciduous 
 set of " milk-teeth " {d.i., d.m., &c.) ; in which there are as many 
 incisors as in the permanent set, although there are only three 
 cheek-teeth on each side above and below ; these milk-molars 
 being replaced by the last three permanent premolars. The 
 eruption, or cutting through the gums, of the deciduous teeth 
 commences at about the time of birth, and is completed before 
 the end of the first year, when the young animal has its full set ; 
 the upper teeth, as a rule, appearing somewhat earlier than those 
 of the lower jaw. The first teeth to appear are the central incisors 
 and the molars ; between the first and second months the second 
 incisor appears, and finally (at about nine months) the third 
 (corner) incisor, which completes the milk-dentition. Of the 
 permanent teeth, the first molar appears about the end of the first 
 year, followed by the second molar before the end of the second 
 year ; these teeth being thus in place before any of the milk-teeth 
 have been shed. At about two and a half years the second and 
 third premolars replace their predecessors ; and between two-and- 
 a-half and three years the first permanent incisor appears. At 
 three-and-a-half to four years the fourth premolar, the third true 
 molar, and the second incisor have appeared ; while at four-and-a- 
 half to five years the third (corner) incisor and the canine have 
 cut the gum, thus completing the permanent dentition. Up to 
 this period the age of the horse is clearly shown by the condition 
 of its teeth, and for some years longer indications can be obtained 
 from the wear of the incisors, though this depends to a considerable 
 extent upon the hardness of the food and other accidental 
 circumstances. 
 
 In the specimens exhibited the side view of the teeth of the 
 right side, and the grinding-surface of the teeth of the left side 
 are shown. 
 
 The series of skulls exhibited comprises specimens ranging in 
 age from the unborn colt to a horse of 36 years. 
 
 b2 
 
4 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 _, , , , Facing: the visitor as he enters the middle of the 
 
 Skeleton of .\ „ , . . w i i f 
 
 north hall are shown m a single case the skeletons 
 Man & Horse. ^^ ^ -^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^.^^ (N.H. 1), arranged for 
 
 comparison with each other, and also to show the position of the 
 bones of both in relation to the external surface. In the case of 
 the Horse, the skin of the animal from which the skeleton was 
 prepared was mounted, and, when dry, divided in the middle line^ 
 and one half, lined with velvet, placed behind the skeleton. In 
 the Man the external surface is shown by a papier-mache model, 
 similarly lined and placed in a corresponding position. The 
 principal bones of both skeletons have their names attached, 
 so that study of this group, besides affording a lesson in com- 
 parative anatomy, may be of practical utility to artists. The 
 meanings of the terms pastern, fetlock^ etc. are also explained in 
 this specimen. 
 
 Evolution Specimens illustrative of the evolution of the Horse are 
 
 of the displayed on the north side of the table-case near the 
 
 Horse. middle of the north hail ; that is to say in the same 
 
 case which contains, on the south side, the series illustrating the 
 
 dentition of the Horse. 
 
 The evolution of the Horse (and its allies) is better known 
 than that of any other group of Mammals. In passing from 
 the Horse to its earlier ancestors, a gradual decrease in bodily 
 size (fig. 1), accompanied by a shortening of the lower segments 
 of the limb, especially of the bones of the foot, is very noticeable ; 
 at the same time there is an increase in the number of the toes, 
 while the height of the crowns of the cheek-teeth is lowered, and 
 their structure becomes simpler. 
 
 In the Horse, in common with the other members of the genus 
 Equus, the skull (fig. 13) has the socket of the eye completely 
 surrounded by bone, there is no distinct depression immediately in 
 front of the same, the canine and incisor teeth are separated by a 
 lon^ gap from those of the cheek-series, and the crowns of the 
 latter are very tall and continue to grow till late in life, while their 
 grinding-surfaces are much complicated, owing to the fiUing-up of 
 all the cavities with the substance known as cement. Each limb 
 terminates in a single hoof, upon which alone the animal walks ; 
 
Fig. 2. 
 
 Skeleton of Foj{e-feet oe extinct Fojie-iunner.s of the Horse : 
 
 A. Hyracothcrium (No. N. 11. (w) ; ]*,. MesoJdppm (No. N. II. ~u) ; V. Merychippus, 
 
 or Protohippus (No. N. li. 57) : D. Kippavion (No. N. H. 44). 
 
 [ To face page 5. 
 
EXTINCT HORSES. 5 
 
 the lateral toes being represented only by the so-called ^^ splint- 
 bones '' (tig. 7). 
 
 Remains of Horses indistinguishable from some of the various 
 forms of the existing species occur in the superficial deposits of 
 Europe and Asia, in company with those of the Mammoth. At a 
 somewhat earlier epoch (Pliocene) occur Horses, such as E. stenonis 
 of Europe and E. sivalensis of India, in which the head is 
 relatively larger, the feet are somewhat smaller, the splint-bones 
 more developed, and the skull shows traces of a depression in 
 front of the eye. The American Pliohippus is smaller, with 
 shorter cheek-teeth. Still earlier (Miocene) is found in America 
 a Horse known as Merychippus or Protohippus in which the 
 splint-bones are fully developed and terminate inferiorly in small, 
 although perfect, toes. In the early Pliocene Hipparion, or 
 three-toed Horse, the lateral toes are still larger, while the crowns 
 of the cheek-teeth are lower, and the skull is shorter and shows a 
 large depression in front of the eye. In this animal the crowns of 
 the cheek-teeth are still tall and have their hollows filled with 
 cement (fig. 6, E), and there must consequently be some unknown 
 forms connecting it with the Miocene Anchit her turn, in which the 
 crowns of these teeth are quite short, and have their hollows free 
 from cement. Hipparion is generally regarded as ofi" the direct 
 ancestral line. 
 
 This type is common to Europe, Asia, and North America ; but 
 Mr. J. W. Gidley, in the Bulletin of the American Museum, has 
 come to the conclusion that the New World Hipparions are 
 generically distinct, and proposes that they should be known as 
 Neohipparion. They differ from the Old World forms by certain 
 details of tooth-structure, as well as by their more slender limbs, 
 in which it seems that the lateral toes are relatively smaller. 
 Finally, they are of Miocene, instead of Pliocene, age. 
 
 Nearly allied to Anc hit her iu7n is the Oligocene ^enns Mesa hippuSj 
 the species of which are smaller than the typical representative of 
 the former. In these animals the socket of the eye is open behind, 
 the gap between the canine and cheek-teeth is comparatively 
 short, the lateral toes are functional, and there is even a suggestion 
 of a fourth toe in the fore-foot (fig. 2, B). This digit is fully 
 developed in the fore-foot (fig. 2, A) of Hyracotherium^ a Lower 
 
6 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 Eocene Mammal not larger than a Fox, in which the lateral digits of 
 both feet are relatively as large as in the Tapir, while all the bones 
 of the feet are proportionately shorter than in the Horse, and all 
 three joints of each toe probably touched the ground. Species 
 intermediate between Mesohippus and Hijracotherium have been 
 named Flaffiolophus and Orohippus. Farther it is not at present 
 possible to carry the ancestry of the Horse, but there is little doubt 
 that Hyracotherium is descended from a still earlier five-toed 
 Mammal with a simpler type of cheek-teeth, and much shorter 
 foot-bones. This hypothetical animal doubtless walked on the whole 
 sole of its foot (plantigrade progression) instead of on the tips of 
 the toes, and was probably nearly related to the creature known 
 as Phenacodus, a cast of the skeleton of which is exhibited in 
 the Gallery of Fossil Mammals. For further details concerning 
 the extinct allies of the Horse see 'A Guide to the Fossil Mammals 
 and Birds in the Department of Geology and Palaeontology \ 
 rt ., - . The superficial (Pleistocene) deposits of South 
 
 South American , . ^ ■ ^^ ^ ^ .^ 
 
 _ ,. , „ America — more especially those oi the province or 
 
 Extmct Horses. r> a i, n i ^- ^ 
 
 Duenos Aires — have yielded remains oi two very 
 remarkable equine animals, Hippidium neogaum and Onohippidium 
 munizi. Of the former the model* of a nearly entire skeleton 
 (N.H. 3, fig. 3) is exhibited, while the latter is represented by a 
 cast of the skull (N.H. 17). In both genera the cheek-teeth 
 (as mentioned later) have shorter crowns and differ in several 
 details of structure from those of modern Horses. As mounted, 
 the skeleton stands 4 ft. 1 in., or 12^ hands, at the withers, while 
 the skull measures 23^ in. in total length. In an average 
 European horse-skeleton, standing 4 ft. 9J in., or 14 hands Ij in. 
 at the shoulder, the skull-length is about 23} in., or practically 
 the same as in the much smaller Hippidium. Although these 
 measurements suffice to show how disproportionately large is the 
 skull of the Hippidium, they by no means indicate the chief 
 peculiarities of that animal. Com.parison of the skull of the 
 former with that of an ordinary Horse shows a most remarkable 
 difference in the structure of the nasal region of the two species. 
 In me ordinary Horse the nasal bones are separated from the 
 maxillae, or upper jaw-bones, of either side by a slit of only some 
 
 * The original of this model has been made tlie type of a second species, 
 but on very slight grounds. 
 
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Fig. 4. 
 
 Skull of Onohippidmm munizi. (From the model in the Museum, 
 No. N. H. 17). pf. preorbital fossR; or depression. About \ nat. size. 
 
 Fig. T). 
 
 Skull of a small S. American Derr, Pudua jfudu (No. N. H. 17), to show the 
 preorbital fossa, or depression (pf.), which contains a gland. ^ nat. size. 
 
 [ To face page'Jl. 
 
SOUTH AMERICAN EXTINCT HORSES. 7 
 
 three or four inches in length. In Hippidium (as in Onohip- 
 pldmm, lig. 4), on the other hand^ these slits are about 10^ in. 
 long, while the nasal bones themselves are proportionately long 
 and slender. This clearly indicates that these extinct American 
 Horses had extremely elongated noses, not improbably forming a 
 kind of short trunk comparable to that of the Saiga Antelope. 
 
 In that animal, as well as in its relative the Chiru Antelope of 
 Tibet, the increased size of the nasal chamber has been brought 
 about by a shortening instead of an elongation of the nasal bones, 
 but it is probable that in these two Antelopes and in the Hippid- 
 ium the purpose of the modification is the same. It has been 
 generally supposed that in the case of the Chiru the large size of 
 the nasal chamber is an adaptation to the respiratory needs of an 
 animal living at a very high elevation. In the case of the Saiga 
 such an explanation would, however, obviously not hold good; 
 and the real explanation in all three cases may perhaps be found 
 in a special adaptation to a desert life, the long nose serving as a 
 filter to prevent particles of sand reaching the organ of smell. 
 
 As regards the rest of its skeleton, Hippidium is remarkable for 
 its short and stout limbs ; this being chiefly due to the excessive 
 shortness of the cannon-bones, which are also unusually wide, 
 with very stout splint-bones. Each limb terminates in a single 
 toe. These short limbs, coupled with the huge unwieldy head, 
 indicate that Hippidium had less speed than ordinary ponies. 
 There are only five lumbar, or ribless trunk, vertebras, as in the 
 Arabian Horse. 
 
 Two other points of interest in connection with these peculiar 
 equine animals deserve brief reference. From the conformation 
 of the bones of the nasal region it seems certain that neither 
 Hippidium or Onohippidium can be derivatives from the genus 
 Equus, while it is still more evident that Equus cannot be 
 descended from Hippidium. Consequently, the reduction of the 
 digits from three in the ancestral Horses to a single one on each 
 foot has taken place independently in the two genera. The second 
 point is that if the wild Horses alleged to have been seen by Cabot 
 in Argentina in the year 1530 really were, as some suppose, 
 indigenous, they must have been either Hippidium or Onohippidium^ 
 and not Horses of the Old World type. With the evidence 
 afforded by the skins of the Patagonian Ground-Sloth as to the 
 
8 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 comparatively late date to which that species survived, there is no 
 vahd reason why Hijypidium and Onohippidium should not have 
 survived till Cabot^s time, especially as their hoof's have been 
 found in comparativel}/ fresh condition alongside the remains of 
 the Ground -Sloth. 
 
 While the skull of Hippidium shows no marked depression in 
 front of the eye-socket, that of Onohippidium (fig. 4) has an 
 enormous pit in this position, with a smaller and partially 
 detached one in front. 
 
 _ -, - In the same case with the skull of Onohippidium 
 
 _ ,. . „ are exhibited a few specimens (N.H. 34) illus- 
 
 Extinct Horses. . . .i . . \ A-rc ^u 
 
 tratmg the structural diiierences m the upper 
 cheek-teeth of some of the later members of the Equidce, and also 
 the marked difference between an unworn and a worn molar of 
 Equus cahallus. The specimen marked A (fig. 6, A) is an unworn 
 molar tooth of the latter species, with the infoldings of the 
 crown not yet filled with the cement, which is developed later. 
 D (fig. 6, D) shows the condition of a similar tooth which has 
 been some time in use. The summits of the columns coloured 
 red in A have been worn away in D so as to expose the dentine 
 or ivory (red) forming the interior of the tooth ; the infoldings 
 on the crown, of which the central ones are converted into islets, 
 being filled with cement (blue) . The enamel, forming the proper 
 external surface of the tooth, is left of the natural colour. 
 Specimen C (fig. 6, C) is a half-worn tooth of the above-mentioned 
 extinct South American Hippidium, in which the two disks 
 (anterior and posterior pillars) on the lower border coloured red 
 are more alike than in Equus ; the whole crown of the tooth being 
 also shorter. Specimens B and E are respectively slightly worn and 
 half-worn teeth (fig. 6, B & E) of the European Three-toed Hipparion. 
 In these the anterior pillar (a) is isolated from the rest of the 
 crown, thus indicating that the genus is off the direct line of 
 ancestry of the modern representatives of the Horse family. 
 n II ■!. Although it is unnecessary to discuss the «:eneral 
 
 Callosities or * , ... ° . 
 
 , I " structure of the EquidcBj it is important to mention 
 
 that all members of the Horse tribe have a 
 bare patch of hardened skin on the inner side of the fore-leg, 
 situated some distance above the carpus, or "knee." In the 
 Horse a similar but smaller callosity, or " chestnut " generally. 
 

 
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CALLOSITIES AND ERGOT. 9 
 
 occurs on the inner side of the hind-limb some distance below the 
 tarsus, or hock (%. 8). This hind-callosity is absent in certain 
 ponies from Iceland and the Hebrides as well as, it is reported, in 
 some horses from North Africa ; and is always wanting in the Ass, 
 the Zebras, and all other members of the family. The front callosity 
 is more warty in the Horse than in any other species of the family. 
 
 These structures are evidently of the type commonly called 
 rudimentary, that is to say, they are the decadent remnants of 
 organs once functional. They have been regarded as representing 
 glands. Important evidence in favour of this view is the fact 
 that when cut the callosities yield a fluid which will attract other 
 horses, and will likewise cause dogs to keep quiet when the 
 premises of their masters are invaded ; such a fluid being almost 
 certainly derived from an ancestral scent-gland. 
 
 Specimens of the legs of the Horse (N.H. 71, 72), Ass (N.H. 69, 
 70), and Zebra (N.H. 68) are exhibited in the large case in the 
 central archway on the north side of the hall to illustrate these 
 remarkable structures. Near by are shown in spirit portions of 
 the bind-legs of two unborn colts (N.H. 96, 96 a) in order to 
 demonstrate that the position of the calosity (flg. 9) is the same as 
 in the adult, and thus to refute the suggestion that these structures 
 represent one of the foot-pads of less specialized Mammals. 
 
 In the same case are displayed specimens of the limbs of Deer 
 with glands situated in positions not very dissimilar to those 
 occupied by the callosities of the Horse, 
 
 In old veterinary books the callosities, which were supposed 
 to be due to disease, are called sallenders (from the French 
 Solandre), or mallenders. They are sometimes called '^castors." 
 
 The true representative of a foot-pad is the ''ergot," 
 I he trgoi. ^^. ^^^^n i^orny knob projecting from the hind surface of 
 the fetlock of the Horse. A specimen (N.H. 93, fig. 10) showing 
 this is displayed in the same case, where the foot of a Tapir 
 (N.H. 94, fig. 11, A) and another of a Dog (N.H. 95, fig. 11, B) 
 are also exhibited, in order to show the correspondence of the 
 central pad with the Horse's ergot. 
 
 .In this place certain interesting abnormalities which 
 
 occasionally make their appearance in Horses may be 
 
 Horses. eonveniently noticed. The most remarkably of these 
 
 are connected with the skull. The specimens exhibited include 
 
10 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 the skull of an English Horse (N.H. 45) presented by 
 Mr, Hanbury Carlile, showing rudiments of a pair of horns on 
 the forehead. Of three other specimens of the same type, one is 
 the frontal region of the skull of an ordinary English Horse 
 (N.H. 44) showing the pair of rudimentary horns in precisely the 
 same position as in the first specimen, but of somewhat larger 
 size. The other two are models of the foreheads of Thorough- 
 breds (]N.H. 46, 47), each showing a pair of similar horns, 
 situated as in the preceding specimens. These are important as 
 showing that the skin extends uniformly over the horn-Hke 
 processes, without any trace of a dermal horn ; the same condition 
 being observable in the other two examples. The significance of 
 these horn-like growths is at present inexplicable, seeing that 
 none of the ancestral Horses, or even of the collateral branches of 
 the Horse-stock, were horned animals. This makes it tlie more 
 difficult to understand why the projections in all the four 
 specimens above referred to should be so similar in form and 
 position. 
 
 « r The next abnormalities to be mentioned are connected 
 
 with the foot-bones of Shire Horses, as represented in 
 the feet of "Blaisdon Conqueror,^'' formerly owned by 
 Mr. Peter Stubs and of two other Horses of the same breed 
 presented respectively by Lord Wantage and Lady Wantage. In 
 the skeleton of " Prince Henry ,^^ presented by Lady Wantage, 
 only the bones of the limbs on the left side (N.H. 38) have been 
 preserved ; but in both the front and hind cannon-bones (fig. 7) 
 of that side the two lateral splint-bones (the metapodials of 
 anatomists) are unusually large and stout. In place of terminating, 
 as in many ordinary Horses, about two-thirds down the shaft of 
 the cannon-bone, or even less, in thin narrow slips, they extend 
 fully four-fifths the length of the latter, where they end in large 
 triangular processes inclined markedly outwards. Although these 
 terminal projections arc immovably welded to the splint-bones, 
 their structure is such as to indicate that they represent distinct 
 elements, consisting of two or three pieces each ; and there can be 
 no doubt that they really correspond to the lateral toe-bones 
 (plialanges) of the extinct Hipparion. In other words. Lady 
 Wantage's Shire may be said to be a veritable three- toed Horse, 
 
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fOOT-BONES. 11 
 
 in which the bones of the rudimentary lateral toes were buried in 
 the skin and welded together. It is noticeable that, in both the 
 fore and hind foot, the outer rudimentary toe-bones are much 
 more developed on the left than on the opposite side. 
 
 If this were all, it might be considered that the Shire " Prince 
 Henry ^' was merely a solitary instance of reversion towards the 
 ancestral type in foot-structure_, and, although even this would be 
 a matter of considerable interest, yet it would have little or no 
 special bearing on the ancestry of the breed in general. Since, 
 however, the cannon-bones of ^'^Blaisdon Conqueror ^^ also display 
 an equally large development of the splint-bones, which show 
 traces at their lower ends of distinct vestiges of the toe-bones, 
 although by no means in so pronounced a degree as in " Prince 
 Henry," the peculiarity seems to be more deeply seated. It is 
 true, indeed, that in the case of the feet (N.H. 77, 78) and limb- 
 bones (N.H. 79, 80) of a Shire colt presented by Loi'd Wantage, 
 it has to be admitted that these are abnormal and more or less 
 malformed ; yet, the fact remains that they show not only traces, 
 but a relatively high degree of development of the lateral toes, of 
 which the constituent bones are separate, while the terminal one 
 on one side of each limb has a hoof of its own. The reversion to 
 the ancestral type is thus very strong. In both feet of this colt 
 the lateral (2nd and 4th) metacarpal bones (usually represented 
 only by the so-called splint-bones) are complete, though varying 
 in size, and carry one toe-bone each. 
 
 Although this abnormal specimen was selected and presented to 
 the museum on account of its peculiarities, yet, after making 
 allowance for this, there is the remarkable fact that three skeletons 
 of Shire Horses exhibit more or less strongly developed rudiments 
 of the lateral toes of the extinct three-toed Hipparion. Tlie 
 obvious inference is that this is a characteristic of the breed. 
 
 To coniirm or disprove this idea requires, however, the limb- 
 bones of a considerable series of pedigree Shires. Of special value 
 would be the limb-bones of very young colts, in which the 
 rudimentary toe-bones might be separate and more fully developed 
 than in the adult. As matters already stand, a further inference 
 may, however, be drawn from these rudimentary toes in the Shire 
 Horse. As already stated, in many Horses the splint-bones 
 
12 • THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 terminate inferiorly in thin scale-like extremities. In some 
 instances, however (as in the fore limb of Stockwell, exhibited in a 
 wall-case), they have a small flat expansion at the lower end, and 
 from the evidence of the Shire Horse bones these expansions maj'^ 
 be definitely identified with the lateral toe-bones of the three-toed 
 ancestors of the Horse. In a certain sense, therefore, a con- 
 siderable number of existing Horses are really three-toed animals. 
 
 Whether the highly developed condition of the splint-bones and 
 rudimentary toe-bones of the Shire Horse indicates an ancestry 
 for that breed distinct from either the Arab thoroughbred stock 
 on the one hand, and the ordinary North European stock on the 
 other, or whether it is merely a kind of reversionary redundancy 
 due to the large size and vigour of the Shire, is difficult to decide. 
 
 Variation of another type has formed the subject of a paper by 
 Mr. 0. C. Bradley in the Proceedings of the Edinburgh Physical 
 Society. The trapezium of the carpus of the Horse is the structure 
 discussed ; and it is shown that this bone is present, either in one 
 or both hmbs, in about 50 per cent, of the skeletons examined, 
 while if each carpus be taken separately (that is, without reference 
 to the condition in its fellow) the percentage is a little more than 
 40. This, in conjunction with its minute size, leads to the 
 conclusion that in the evolution of the single-toed foot of the 
 Horse the bone in question is following in the steps of the lateral 
 metacarpal (splint-bone) with which it was originally connected. 
 
 Another point of interest is the existence of a 
 
 variation in me considerable amount of difference in the structure 
 
 onape 01 me ^|? ^j^^ hooi in the various members of the Horse 
 
 _ .. tribe ; this being illustrated by a series of 
 
 ^' specimens (N.H. 81-89) in the large case on the 
 
 north side of the North Hall. In the Horse [Equus caballus) the 
 
 " frog," or central cushion is reduced to a narrow ridge, dee()ly 
 
 grooved posteriorly, which does not extend behind the case of the 
 
 hoof, and is not applied to the ground. In Grevy's Zebra {E. 
 
 grevyi), of North-east Africa, the frog becomes much broader, 
 
 with scarcely any trace of the groove, and its hind part touches 
 
 the ground. In the Kiang [E. hcmionus kiang), of Tibet, the 
 
 posterior develo])ment of the frog becomes more marked, so that a 
 
 considerable portion projects behind the case of the hoof and 
 
Fig. 12. 
 
 The Cave-Hohse : from a Prehistoric Sketch. 
 
 Fig. 13. 
 
 Skull of the Mongolian Wild Horsk, Female (No. N. II. 16). 
 
 [To face page 1: 
 
CAVE-HORSE. 13 
 
 touches the ground; the cleft being narrow and deep. A still 
 greater development of the hind part of the frog occurs in the Ass 
 {E. asinus). In the extinct South American Onohippidium the 
 frog is somewhat intermediate between the Horse and the Ass 
 type, being grooved and not projecting behind the case of the 
 hoof, but being of considerable breadth and tliickness. In the 
 Bonte-Quagga or Burchell's Zebra (Equus hurchelli) of South 
 and Eastern Africa the medium -sized and slightly cleft frog is 
 deeply sunk in the hoof, behind which it projects to a small 
 degree; not touching the ground, except when the hoof is 
 much worn. 
 
 Characteristics Coming to the characteristics of the Horse itself, 
 of tlie as typified by the domesticated Scandinavian 
 
 Horse. breed, the species is distinguished by the tail 
 
 being abundantly covered with long hair up to the root and the 
 general presence of bare callosities or, " chestnuts,''^ on the inner 
 side of both pairs of limbs. The mane, which has a forelock on 
 ihe forehead, is long and pendant, the ears are relatively short, 
 the head small, the limbs long, and the hoofs large and broad, 
 especially the front pair, w^hich considerably exceed the hind ones 
 in this respect. Normally there are no distinct colour-markings ; 
 although dark bars are not unfrequently seen on the legs, and 
 more rarely on the shoulders, of dun-coloured individuals. 
 
 This definition requires, however, some amount of modification 
 when the wild representatives of the species are taken into con- 
 sideration. The following main types or races of the Horse may 
 be recognized, of which the first is : — 
 
 _, p The Cave Horse, Equus cabaUus spelceus, a race typified 
 
 by bones and teeth from the cavern of Bruniquel, Tarn- 
 et-Garonne, France, described by Sir R. Owen in the 
 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society for 1869, and 
 exhibited in the Geological Department. It was then supposed to 
 indicate an animal of about 13^ hands in height, but the relatively 
 large size of the cheek-teeth of the next race indicates that it 
 was probably much smaller. Prehistoric sketches from the Cave 
 of La Madelaine, in the Dordogne, south of France (fig. 12), 
 show that this race was practically identical with the living 
 Wild Horse of Mongolia, having the same relatively large 
 
14 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 head, absence of forelock, upright mane, and tail sparsely haired 
 at the root. Indeed, the grounds for separating this race from 
 the next are based on considerations of nomenclature and con- 
 venience rather than on structural differences. Nevertheless, 
 the cheek-teeth appear to be relatively and absolutely smaller 
 in the cavern race, the length of the row of six upper teeth in 
 a specimen from Bruniquel being about 7^ inches. 
 
 Skulls from the superficial deposits of Walthamstow, Essex, 
 of which one (N.H. 18) is exhibited in the table-case, probably 
 indicate a race nearly allied to, if not identical with, the Cave- 
 Horse. As in the Mongolian Wild Horse, the face is bent 
 downwards only in a slight degree on the line of the basal axis 
 of the skull. 
 
 -- ,. The Mongolian Wild Horse [Equus cabalhis prze- 
 
 ^ valsLii, fia:. 14) is a small race, standina; about 
 
 Wllrl llnrco ^ o / ^ o 
 
 12 hands at the shoulder, and characterised by the root 
 of the tail being short-haiied, a short upright mane, the absence 
 of a forelock, and the yellow dun or somewhat rufous body-colour, 
 with the mane and tail black, the legs dark brown or black, at 
 least as high as the fetlocks, a narrow dark stripe down the back, 
 and generally (probably always when pure-bred) a white muzzle. 
 The head is relatively large, especially as regards the face, the 
 ears are proportionately tall, and the hoofs rather narrow. The 
 interval between the first upper cheek-tooth and the outermost 
 incisor is relatively very short. The cheek-teeth (fig. 16, A) are 
 both absolutely and relatively very large, the length of the upper row 
 of six in a skull with a basal length of 18|- inches being 7^ inches, 
 or only one-quartei- of an inch less than in the skull of the Shire 
 Mare '' Starhght'' (N.H. 23, fig. 16, B), of which the basal length 
 is 23 inches. Other distinctive features of the upper cheek-teeth 
 are the absence of complex foldings in the enamel and the 
 relatively large size (antero-posteriorly) of the anterior pillar {a), 
 which is produced considerably in advance of the point of con- 
 nection with the main body of the tooth, and is much flattened 
 on the inner side. This feature is most pronounced in the 
 premolars. The large relative size of the cheek-teeth is illustrated 
 by comparison with those of a Dartmoor Pony skull (N.H. 27), 
 
Fig. 14. 
 
 The Mongolian Wild Horse. 
 (BYom the female specimen presented by the Duke of Bedford ) 
 
 Fig. 15. 
 
 The Dauley Arabian. 
 prom the original picture at Aldby Pcirk, York. 
 
 [Tofiicepaije M. 
 
Fljr. 16. 
 
 Right Upper Chekk-Tkkth of thk ^foNGuLiAx Wild House, (A); a Shire 
 Horse, (B) ; and an Arab, (C) | nat. size. «, anterior pillar. 
 
 {To face p<iqe 1-5. 
 
AVILU HORSE. 
 
 li 
 
 but little smaller than that of the female skull of the Mongolian 
 Wild Horse. In the Dartmoor Pony the length of the tooth-row 
 is only o^ inches. 
 
 In addition to the length of its facial portion, the skull of the 
 Wild Horse here exhibited (N.H. 16, fig. 13) is characterised by the 
 absence of any distinct vestige of a depression in front of the eye- 
 socket, and by the slight extent to which the face is bent down on 
 the basi-cranial axis, so that a continuation of the line of the latter 
 will cut the face above the aperture of the nose-cavity *. 
 
 In some instances there are indistinct transverse barrings on the 
 legs, and there may be faint indications of a shoulder-stripe. 
 
 In its typical form the Wild Horse appears to be restricted to 
 the Gobi Desert and perhaps some of the neighbouring districts ; 
 but the Wild Horses formerly inhabiting the Kirghiz Steppes 
 and known as Tarpan, were evidently near akin. They were 
 probably, however, crossed to a greater or less degree with escaped 
 domesticated Horses ; and the few skins which have been 
 preserved show decisive evidence of mixed blood in their mouse- 
 coloured coats, such a tint among Horses being a sure indication 
 of cross-breeding. In the early part of last century, when 
 Tarpan were still numerous on the Kirghiz Steppes, the Taters 
 asserted that the pure breed was to be met with only to the far 
 eastward, in Central Asia — that is to say the Gobi Desert ; and 
 it accordingly seems probable that the Mongolian Wild Horse 
 itself ought properly to be called Tarpan, or, in the plural, 
 Tarpani. 
 
 A small Horse living in London in the early part of last 
 century and stated to have come from the heart of China was 
 named Asinus equuleus by Colonel Hamilton Smith. If as 
 seems possible, this animal was a true Wdd Horse, the name 
 equuleus, as the earlier, should replace przevalskii, 
 
 * Prof. J. C. Ewait, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. x\\, 1907, p. ooo, 
 and Quarterly Review, April 1907, p. 547, has made the Mongolian Wild 
 Horse the type of a so-called '• Steppe-group " characterised by the marked 
 detiection of the facial portion of the skuU as compared with the basal axis. 
 No such feature is, however, presented by any of the skulls of this race in 
 The Museum Collection, although it is apparent to some extent in the one 
 figured in the tirst of the two memoirs mentioned. 
 
\Q THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 A mounted specimen of a female of the Wild Mongolian Horse 
 (M. 1012, fig. 14) is exhibited in the Lower Mammal Gallery, 
 and the skeleton of a young stallion is installed in the North Hall, 
 where the two halves of the skull of the mare are also shown. 
 
 Some of the Kirghiz Tarpan lacked the hind chestnuts (which 
 are small in the Wild Mongohan Horse) ; and these structures 
 appear to be constantly lacking in a breed cf small Horses or 
 Ponies ranging from Connemara, the Outer Hebrides, Iceland, 
 and the Faroes to Western Norway. For this breed the name of 
 Celtic Pony, or Celtic Horse {Equus caballus celticus) has been 
 proposed ; but since it has also been regarded as nearly related 
 to the Kirghiz Tarpan "^j it seems doubtful whether it is worthy 
 of racial separation from E. c. przevalskii. The Celtic Pony, 
 or Fjordhest as it is called in Norway, has been described as 
 follows : — 
 
 The ordinary colour is pale buff, but may be mouse-grey, or 
 even brown ; the mane is light-coloured externally, with a central 
 black core, and the tail is also light-coloured with a certain 
 admixture of black hairs. The winter coat is very rough and 
 shao""v with a large forelock and tuft of hair under the lower 
 jaw, and long bushy hair at the root of the tail. The forehead is 
 broad, and the facial portion of the head relatively short ; while 
 the leo-s are relatively slender and the hoofs small. The absence 
 of hind callosities has been already noted. Another feature is the 
 small size or absence of the canine teeth, or tusks, of the 
 stallion. Shetland Ponies, when young, exhibit the same lateral 
 expansion of the hair at the root of the tail. 
 
 Whether the Celtic Pony is a separate race or merely 
 a modified and domesticated Tarpan, there can 
 or Uun lype. ^^ ^^^ question that the dun type, as typified by 
 the Norwegian Dun Pony, is a distinct race. As no particular 
 breed was specified in the original Linnean description of the 
 domesticated Equus caballus as the type of the species, it may 
 perhaps be permissable to regard the Dun Pony of Norway in this 
 light, despite the fact that it has been attempted to give this position 
 
 * Stejneger, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. xlviii, p. 467 
 (1907). 
 
DUN HORSES. 17 
 
 to the Arab*. If this be admitted the Dun Pony should be 
 called Equus caballus typicus. 
 
 These Ponies are evidently related to the Wild Mongolian 
 Horse, but have a fuller development of the mane and tail, which 
 are wholly black, although specimens may occasionally be seen 
 in England in which the hairs on the root of the tail are shorter 
 than usual. In some cases there is a dark stripe down the back 
 and traces of barring on the legs. The facial portion of the head 
 is longer, and the hoofs are relatively larger than in the Celtic 
 Pony. 
 
 This breed may be regarded as probably derived from the 
 Wild Mongolian Horse, and likewise as the main ancestral stock 
 of the ordinary domesticated Horses of North-western Europe. 
 In the skulls of ordinary domesticated Horses the cheek-teeth are 
 both absolutely and proportionately, much smaller than in the 
 Wild Horse. When Arab blood is presumably absent, there is 
 no trace of a distinct impression in front of the socket for the 
 eye; and in some instances the facial portion of the skull is not 
 markedly bent down on the basal axis. This bending-down of 
 the face on the line of the basal axis may, however, occur in 
 domesticated Horses of all breeds. Skulls exhibiting different 
 degrees of development of this feature are shown in the case in 
 the central arch of the north hall. One of these skulls was 
 obtained from the Roman Fort at Newstead near Melrose, where 
 specimens exhibiting various degrees of bending-down of the 
 face were found (see J. C. Evvart, Trans. Royal Society Edinburgh, 
 vol. xlv, 1907). 
 
 The relatively smaller head and still smaller cheek-teeth, the 
 shorter ears, the presence of a fore-lock, the larger and pendent 
 mane, the more fully haired tail, and the wider hoofs which 
 distinguish the ordinary Horses of Western Europe from the 
 Wild Horse may be regarded in all probability as due, at any 
 rate to a great extent, to the effects of domestication, although 
 there is also the possibility that they may in some degree be due 
 
 * See Stejneger, op. cit. p. 470, DOte. Osborn, on the other hand (Bull.Atne?: 
 Mus. vol. xxiii, p. 262, 1907), adopts the view here advocated, and uses the 
 name E. africanus, Sanson for the Arab : this name is, however, preoccupied 
 by E. asinus africanus of Fitzinger, 
 
 C 
 
18 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 to the infusion of Arab blood. Much the same may be affirmed 
 with regard to the bending down of the face on the basal axis of 
 the skull. 
 
 In a publication recently issued by the Philomathic Society of 
 Alsace-Lorraine * Dr. Max Hilzheimer gives an illustrated 
 description of a remarkable and apparently ancient breed of 
 horse to be met with in the neighbourhood of Schlettstadt, in 
 Upper Alsace^ where it is locally known as Riedpferd (Reed 
 Horse) or Pickerle. Small in stature^ and of all colours except 
 grey, it frequently shows a dark dorsal stripe^ while in one foal 
 the last remnant of a transverse shoulder-stripe was observed, 
 such a vestige being sometimes noticeable in the Wild Mongolian 
 Horse. In its large and clumsy head, with a broad forehead, and 
 a tendency to a concavity in a profile near the base of ihe nasal 
 bones, the Schlettstadt Horse likewise approaches the wild race, 
 as it also does in its short ears and low withers. On the other 
 hand, in its profuse mane and tail it makes an equally wide 
 departure from the latter, although there is every probability 
 that these features are the result of domestication. Dr. Hilzheimer 
 refers to an account by Elisseus Rosslin, in a work on Alsace- 
 Loraine, published at Strassburg in 1593^ of so-called Wild 
 Horses inhabiting the mountains of the Black Forest. These are 
 known to have survived till 1616, when three were shot during 
 a hunt. Although these so-called Wild Horses were probably 
 the descendants of domesticated animals they were doubtless a 
 primitive type, from which, in Dr. Hilzheimer's opinion the 
 Schlettstadt breed may be descended. A further inference is 
 that in the latter we have survivors of the Wild Horse of the 
 Swiss lake-dwellings and of the cave period. 
 
 The Southern The Southern or Barb type [Equus caballus asiaticus, 
 
 or or E. c. libijcus), as represented by Barbs, Arabs, 
 
 Barb Type. Thoroughbreds, etc., constitutes the fourth and last 
 
 well-defined group of Horses. In this breed, as we now know it, 
 
 bay with black '^points,^^ and not unfrequently a white star on 
 
 * Mitteil. Philom. Ges. Ehass-Lothrinyen, vol. iii, p. 868, 1906. 
 
FiCx. 17 
 
 Skull of the Shirk Stallion " Blaisdox Conqxteror " (No. N. H, 8). 
 
 Fig. 18. 
 
 SiviLL OF AN Arab Mark, showing the characteristic sinuous 
 I'RoFiLE. (From tlie specimon, Xo. N. JI. 20, pivsontcd by 
 W. Scawen Blunt, Esq.) 
 
 [To face page 19. 
 
ARABS AND THOROUGHBREDS. 19 
 
 the forehead may be regarded as the typical colour, although grey 
 is by no means uncommon ; and the mane and tail are always 
 long, pendent, and full. The fetlocks of one or more legs are 
 not un frequently white. 
 
 The skull generally, if not invariably, shows a slight depression 
 in front of the socket of the eye (fig. 18, pf.), which although 
 now serving as the attachment for the muscle running to the 
 nostril, probably represents the cavity which almost certainly con- 
 tained a face-gland in the skull of the extinct Hipparion. Many 
 of the dark-coloured Horses of Europe have Barb or Arab blood 
 in their veins, this being markedly the case with the Old English 
 Black, or Shire Horse, the skull of which accordingly shows a 
 distinct depression in front of the eye-socket (fig. 17, pf.). That 
 the face-gland may well have disappeared in modern Horses is ex- 
 emplified by Sheep, the domesticated breeds of which possess this 
 structure, although it is lost in the wild American Bighorns. In 
 the latter the place where the gland should be situated is probably 
 occupied by muscle. As two instances are known to the w^riter 
 in which modern Horses (one an Argentine) have developed 
 functional face-glands, on one or both sides, there is not much 
 doubt that the depression seen in the skulls of Arabs and 
 Thoroughbreds represents the pit for the tear-gland of Antelopes 
 and Deer (fig. 5). 
 
 Prof. W. Ridgew^ay regards bay us the typical colour of the 
 Arab. This is confirmed in some degree by the fact that grey Arabs 
 when aged tend to become flecked with chestnut ; and also by 
 the circumstance that some grey Arabs are slate-coloured or 
 mouse-coloured when young. 
 
 A considerable number of skulls are placed on exhibition to 
 illustrate the presence of a vestige of the facial gland- cavity in 
 the skulls of Arabs and Thoroughbreds, and its general absence 
 in those of other breeds, except Shires. 
 
 The skulls of Arab Horses are further characterised by the 
 long interval between the first upper cheek-tooth and the outermost 
 incisors, as well as by the relatively small size of the upper cheek- 
 teeth, the length of the six cheek-teeth in the skull of " Jerboa " 
 (N.H. 9) being only 6f inches, while the basal length of the 
 skull itself is 19f inches, or nearly the same as that of the 
 
 c2 
 
20 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 Mongolian Wild Horse, in which the length of the tooth-row 
 is 7^ inches. The upper cheek-teeth (fig. 16, C) in the skull of 
 an Arab presented by Mr. Wilfrid Scawen Blunt (N.H. 20) and 
 likewise remarkable for the extensive folding, or frilling, of the 
 enamel in the centre of the crown ; while in both the Arab skulls 
 in the collection the anterior pillar of the upper molars presents 
 an unusually short grinding surface. Both these features are 
 noticeable in the cheek-teeth of the extinct Equus sivalensis of 
 India ; the skull of that species (N. H. 42) likewise displaying a 
 vestige of the preorbital depression in a more marked degree than 
 in Arabs and Thoroughbreds. In all these respects the skulls 
 of Arabs and Equus sivalensis approximate to that of Hijiparioyi 
 (N.H. 49). 
 
 The skulls of Arabs (fig. 18) difi:er markedly from those of ordi- 
 nary Horses in the strongly sinuous profile of the face, in the narrow 
 muzzle, and in the great width and depth of the hinder part or 
 ^^ angle ^^ of the lower jaw^, as well as in certain minor details; all 
 these features corresponding with the contour of the head of living- 
 Arabs. Some Thoroughbreds, such as those of the ^' King Tom " 
 line, exhibit the characteristic Arab profile very distinctly. 
 
 Among Mr. Blunt^s Arab stud the presence of a large " wolf- 
 tooth," or rudimentary first premolar is stated to be far from 
 uncommon, at least in the upper jaw, whereas such large teeth 
 are rare in ordinary Horses. Such a tooth was generally, if not 
 invariably, present in both jaws in the extinct Equus sivalensis 
 and its allies. 
 
 In addition to the features already noticed, Arabs are charac- 
 terised by the following peculiarities : — 
 
 The skull is relatively short, very wide between tlie eye-sockets, 
 which are high and prominent, thus giving a wide field of vision ; 
 while the lower jaw is slender in front, and very deep and wide- 
 set behind. The chest is rounded, and the back and loins are 
 well " ribbed up,'' due to the presence of only five (in place of 
 six) lumbar or ribless vertebrae. The pelvis — in connection with 
 great speed — is set more nearly horizontal than in other Horses ; 
 the croup, or tail-region, is relatively high ; and there are only 
 sixteen (in })lace of eighteen) caudal, or tail, vertebrae. In the 
 
ARABS AND THOROUGHBREDS. 21 
 
 limbs the shaft of the uhia, or small bone of the lower part of 
 the fore-leg, is complete ; the cannon-bones are elongated and 
 slender ; and the jmsterns are long and sloping. Desert-bred 
 Arabs are stated to have denser bones than ordinary Horses. 
 
 Despite the fuct that a complete ulna has been observed in a 
 skeleton of Grevy's Zebra, the whole of the foregoing characters 
 are regarded by Prof. H. F. Osborn [Bulletin of the American 
 Museum of Natural History, vol. xxxiii, pp. 259-263^ 1907) to 
 justify the specific separation of the Arab Horse^ for which he 
 adopts Sanson's name of Equus africanus.'^ The origin and 
 descent of the Arab are considered by the same observer to be 
 totally different from those of the Northern Horse. 
 
 As regards the extent to which the facial part of the skull is 
 bent down on the basal axis, there appears to be some amount of 
 variation among Arabs and Thoroughbreds; but the feature is 
 always developed in a considerable degree. It also occurs in the 
 skull of the extinct Equus sivalensis as is shown by a cast 
 (N.H. 42) in the north side of the table-case. 
 
 This marked bending-down of the face in Equus sivalensis, 
 coupled with the presence of a distinct remnant of the preorbital 
 face-pit in the skull and the above-mentioned characters of 
 the dentition, indicates the essential distinction of that species 
 from the Mongolian Wild Horse, which, as already mentioned, 
 is regarded as the survivor of the ancestral type which gave rise to 
 the ordinary Horses of North-western Europe. And since several 
 of the features characteristic of Arabs and Thoroughbreds are 
 met with in Equus sivalensis, there seems a probability that the 
 latter (or some closely allied race) may have been the ancestral 
 stock from which Barbs, Arabs, and Thoroughbreds are derived. 
 At any rate, this theory seems to afford a better working 
 explanation of the facts of the case (so far as they are at present 
 known) than any other hitherto suggested. If the Arab Horse 
 should ever be proved to be descended from a species distinct 
 from the one which gave rise to the Wild Horse of Mongolia, it 
 will, of course, have to bear a name other than Equus cahallus. 
 
 * See note page 17. 
 
22 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 Specimens of Limitations of space, apart from all other con- 
 Arabs and siderations_, prevent the exhibition of complete 
 
 Thorouyhbreds. specimens of the larger breeds of Horses ; and 
 the exhibited series is therefore, in the main, limited to heads, 
 skulls, limb-bones, and minature models, supplemented by pictures. 
 Arabs are, at present, represented by a statuette of " Zenghis 
 Khan ^^ (N.H. 1 24) :, modelled in Hungary, and two skulls of 
 mares. One of the skulls (N.H. 20, fig. ]8) is the gift of Mr. W. 
 Scawen Blunt, the well-known breeder of Arabs, while the other 
 '* Jerboa'' (N.H. 9) was presented by Mr. H. T. Sills of Cape 
 Colony. Both are mares and show the characteristic curved facial 
 contour already referred to, which reappears in some Thorough- 
 breds, as in the skull of ^' Royal Hampton" (N.H. 11), shown 
 alongside that of Jerboa, and also in that of " Corrie Roy'* 
 (N.H. 10). '' Royal Hampton," it may be added, was a descendant 
 of " King Tom " (see pedigree) . A photograph of the '' Barley 
 Arabian," taken from the original picture at Aldby Park, York, and 
 presented by Miss F. M. Darley, has been here reproduced 
 (fig. 15) as a good illustration of the Arab type ; this particular 
 Horse having taken a considerable share in the production of the 
 modern Thoroughbred. 
 
 From the " Darley Arabian " was descended the famous 
 Thoroughbred Stallion *^ Eclipse," of whose skull and skeleton 
 photographs (N.H. 128) are exhibited on the back of the case 
 containing the skeletons of the Man and the Horse. The skeleton 
 of ^' Eclipse " is preserved at the Royal College of Veterinary 
 Surgeons in Red Lion Square, Holborn. *^' Eclipse" was bred by 
 the Duke of Cumberland in 1764 (the year of the great eclipse 
 of the sun), and died in 1789. He was a chestnut, with a white 
 blaze on the face and one white foot. He was never beaten, and 
 during his two years turf-career was the winner of eighteen races. 
 '^ Eclipse " was sired by *' Marske," a great grandson of the 
 " Darley Arabian." 
 
 Of Thoroughbreds represented in the collection by skulls, or 
 skulls and skeletons, by far the most celebrated is the stallion 
 " Stockwell," who was foaled in 1819, and died in 1876. He 
 was winner of the St. Leger in 1852. The skull (N.H. 15 ) and 
 
FAMOUS THOROUGHBREDS. 
 
 23 
 
 skeleton was ])i'csented by Mr. J. C. Naylor in 187G. The 
 following is the pedigree of this Racehorse for four generations : — 
 
 r Birdcatcher, [ Sir Hercules, 182G 
 -^^^•^ 1 Guiccioli, 1826 
 Echidna, f Economist, 1826 
 ^^^^ \ Miss Pratt, 1825 
 
 STOCK WELL, 
 
 1849 
 
 The Baron, j 
 1842 "! 
 
 r 
 
 Pocahontas, J 
 1837 "1 
 
 Glencoe, 
 
 1883 
 
 Sultan, 1816 
 Trampoline, 1825 
 
 Marpessa, j Muley, 1810 
 ^^^^ 1 Clare, 1824 
 
 " Stockwell '^ had a large amount of the blood of " Eclipse -" 
 in his veins^ and also a strain of that of " Herod /^ 
 
 Another celebrated Thoroughbred stallion is " Ormonde/' who 
 was foaled in 1884, and died in 190T. Bred by the First Duke 
 of Westminster, he was winner of the Derby, the St. Leger, and 
 the Two Thousand Guineas in 1886, and was an unbeaten Horse. 
 Ormonde is generally regarded as the best racer of the 19th century. 
 The skull (N.H. 13) and part of the skeleton were presented by 
 Mr. A. B. Macdonough in 1905. The pedigree of this stallion, 
 to the fourth generation, is as follows : — 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 Doncaster, 
 
 r Stockwell, 1849 
 
 
 r Beud-Or, 
 
 
 1870 
 
 1 Marigold, 1860 
 
 
 1877 
 
 < 
 
 1 
 ! 
 
 Rouo-e Rose, 
 
 r Thormanby, 1857 
 
 ORMONDE, 
 
 
 i 
 
 1865 
 
 1 Ellen Home, 1844 
 
 1884 
 
 
 { 
 
 Macaroni, 
 
 r Sweatmeat, 1842 
 
 
 Lily Agnes, 
 ^ 1871 
 
 1 
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
 L 
 
 1360 
 
 Polly Agnes, 
 1865 
 
 \ .Jocose, 1843 
 r The Cure, 1841 
 ( Miss Agnes, 1850 
 
 The skull of the Thoroughbred stallion, ^^Bend-Or" (N.H. 14) 
 the sire of " Ormonde,'^ was presented by the Duke of Westminster 
 in 1903. " Bend-Or '^ was foaled in 1877 and died in 1903. 
 
24 
 
 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 He was winner of the Derby in 1880. His pedigree is as 
 follows : — 
 
 f Stockwell, I The Baron, 1842 
 
 ' ( Pocahontas, 1887 
 
 Marigold, f Teddington, 1848 
 
 ^ ( Sister to Singapore, 1852 
 
 BEND-OE, 
 
 1877 
 
 Doncaster, J 
 1870 '^ 
 
 L 
 
 Rouge Rose, 
 1865 
 
 r Thormanhy, f ^indhound, 1850 
 ! ^^^'^ \ AUce Hawthorn, 1838 
 
 I Ellen Home. 
 L 1844 
 
 Redshank, 1833 
 
 Delhi, 1838 
 
 The Collection also contains the skull of " Royal Hampton/^ a 
 Thoroughbred stallion foaled in 1882, who died in 1906. He 
 was winner of the National Breeder's Produce Stakes at Sandown 
 Park in 1884, and of the City and Suburban Handicap^ 1886. 
 "Royal Hampton'' was owned by Sir J. Blundell Maple, and 
 the skull (N.H. 11) was presented by Mrs. Ballard (Lady Maple) 
 in 1906. 
 
 The following is the pedigree of this well-known Horse : — 
 
 Newminster, 1848 
 
 f Lord Clifden, 
 I 1860 
 
 ROYAL HAMPTON, 
 
 1882 
 
 Hampton J 
 
 1872 
 
 j Lady Laugden, j 
 L 1868 1 
 
 Princess, J 
 1872 1 
 
 f. King Tom, f 
 I 1851 I 
 
 The Slave, 1852 
 Kettledrum, 1858 
 
 Haricot, 1847 
 Harkaway, 1834 
 Pocahontas, 1837 
 
 ,r T . 1 C North Lincoln, 1850 
 Mrs. Lincoln, j ' 
 
 1866 I j^.^^ Alfred's Dam, 1856 
 
 The skull, in addition to showing the faint trace of a preorbital 
 depression common to most Thoroughbreds, is noteworthy for 
 retaining the characteristic sinuous Arab profile, which is always 
 a character of Horses descended from " King Tom." 
 
 Another Thoroughbred stallion of which the skull (N.H. 12) 
 is exhibited is " Donovan/' who was foaled in 1886 and died in 
 February, 1905. He ran 21 races in 1888 and 1889, out of 
 
FAMOUS THOROUGHBREDS. 
 
 35 
 
 which he wod 18. The skull was presented by the Duke of 
 Portland in 1905. Donovan^s pedigree is given below : — 
 
 I Voltigeur, 1847 
 
 i 
 
 DONOVAN, 
 
 1886 
 
 Galopin, 
 1872 
 
 Vetiette, 
 1854 
 
 Daughter of, 1849 
 
 L 
 
 Moweiina, 
 1876 
 
 L 
 
 1853 
 
 Scottish Chief, 
 1861 
 
 Stockings, 
 1863 
 
 i Flying Dutchess, f ^^^'"^^ Dutchman, 1846 
 ( Merope, 1843 
 
 I Lord of the Isles, 1852 
 ( Miss Ann, 1846 
 ( Stockwell, 1849 
 ( Go-ahead, 1853 
 
 To show the characters of the Thoroughbred head, that of 
 '^Corrie Roy,^^ a mare foaled in 1878, who died in 1901, is exhibited. 
 She was the winner of the St. Ebor Handicap and the Manchester 
 November Handicap, 1883. The head (N.H. 10) was presented 
 by Sir J. Blundell Maple^ her owner, in 1901. The legs of the 
 same mare are also exhibited, as a contrast to those of a Shire 
 Cart- Horse. 
 
 Passing on to statuettes of Thoroughbreds, the first for mention 
 is that of the celebrated English stallion '' Persimmon ^^ (N.H. 1 18), 
 owned by H.M. the King. " Persimmon ^^ was foaled in 1893; 
 his sire being '^ St. Simon/^ and his dam ^^Perdita 11.^'' He was 
 winner of the Derby and the St. Leger in 1896, and of the Ascot 
 Gold Cup and Eclipse Stakes in 1897. The statuette was 
 presented by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1 905. Persimmon's 
 pedigree is as follows : — 
 
 PERSIMMON, 
 
 1893 
 
 St. Simon, 
 
 1881 
 
 Galopin, 
 
 1872 
 
 j Vidette, 1854 
 
 ( Flying Duchess, 1853 
 
 i St. Angela, f King Tom, 1851 
 
 Perdita II, 
 L 1881 
 
 1865 
 
 Hampton, 
 1872 
 
 Hermione, 
 1875 
 
 ( Adeline, 1851 
 
 j Lord CHfden, 1860 
 ( Lady Langden, 1868 
 I Young Melbourne, 1855 
 i La Belle Ilelene, 1866 
 
26 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 Another statuette (N.H. 119) is that of the Thoroughbred 
 chestnut staUion " Zinfandel/^ a son of '• Persimmon '' out of 
 " Medora/^ He was foaled May 6th, 1900; and was winner of 
 the Ascot Gold Vase, the Manchester Cup, and the Brighton Cup 
 in 1903, and of the Jockey Club Cup at the Newmarket Houghton 
 Meeting in 1904. The statuette was presented by the owner. 
 Lord Howard de Walden, in 1905. 
 
 Statuettes of several half-bred stallions and mares are also 
 shown. 
 
 In a case alongside one of the pillars on the north side of the 
 hall are exhibited the bones of the left limbs of the Thoroughbred 
 '^StockwelP' (N.H. 97, 98) alongside those of the Shire Horse 
 '^Blaisdon Conqueror ^^ (N.H. 99, 100). In the following table 
 the measurements of the limb-bones of '^Stockwell^" are contrasted 
 with tho^e of a Cart-Horse : — 
 
 Fore- 
 Limb. 
 
 Hmd- 
 Limb. 
 
 Race- Horse. Cart- Horse. 
 
 ^Humerus I3i in. 14| in. 
 
 Kadms 15 14J 
 
 Metacarpus 10^ 10^ 
 
 I 1st Phalange 4 3| 
 
 Femur 17 ISJ 
 
 Tibia 15 15 
 
 Metatarsus 124 I If 
 
 ^- 1st Phalange 3 J 4 
 
 From this it will be seen that while the upper segment of 
 the limbs (humerus and femur) is shorter in the Race- Horse 
 than in the Cart-Horse, the reverse is the case with most of the 
 other bones. This greater proportionate length of the lower part 
 of the leg probably gives greater speed in the Kace- Horse ; but 
 a larger series of specimens is necessary before it can be definitely 
 affirmed that these proportions are constant. 
 
 Specimens of The Shire Horse, so-called from being chiefly bred 
 the Shire in the Midland Counties, and the most powerful 
 Horse. animal of its kind, is the descendant of the old 
 
 English Great Horst-, or Black Horse, which was used as a war- 
 horse when armour was worn, and was capable of carrying 32 stone. 
 By Queen Elizabeth^s time it was relegated to the duties of a coach- 
 
SHIRE HORSES. 2/ 
 
 horse, and is now employed only as a draught-horse. In colour it 
 is generally black, often with a white star on the forehead and 
 white fetlocks; the tail and mane are profuse, and the legs very 
 hairy. Although originally English, the Shire Horse was in early 
 days crossed with Neapolitan and Flanders Horses (which have 
 Barb blood in their veins) if not with the Barb itself, and it has 
 been suggested that the colour of the breed is largely due to Barb 
 ancestry. Evidence of such a crossing appears to be afforded by 
 the presence of a distinct depression in front of the eye-socket in 
 the skull of this breed (fig. 17) ; such a depression being, as already 
 mentioned, characteristic of Barbs, Arabs, and Thoroughbreds. 
 In the limb-bones the rudimentary lateral digits are very strongly 
 developed (see page 10). 
 
 Among specimens of this breed exhibited in the North Hall is 
 the skull (N.H. 8. fig. 17) of " Blaisdon Conqueror." This famous 
 horse, whose sire was " Hitchin Conqueror '^ and dam ^' Welcome," 
 was foaled in 1894, and died in October, 1904. He stood 17 hands, 
 2 inches in height, and was placed in the first class and won many 
 cups and other prizes at the Shire Horse Show at Islington in 
 1899, 1902, and 1904. His number was 15989 in the Shire 
 Horse Stud-book. The skull and limb-bones were presented by 
 the breeder and owner, Mr. P. Stubs, m 1905. The limbs of the 
 left side are exhibited, as mentioned above, alongside those of the 
 Thoroughbred '' Stockwell." 
 
 In the same year as the last the Museum also received the skull 
 of another Shire Stallion, " Prince William" (N.H. 22), who was 
 foaled in 1883, and died in 1905. His Stud-book number was 
 3956, and his breeder Mr. W. H. Potter. The skull was presented 
 by Lady Wantage in 1905. Both in this and the last specimen 
 the vestige of the preorbital depression is very clearly displayed. 
 The cannon-bones of '' Prince Wdliam " (fig. 7) are exhibited 
 in one of the table-cases, to show the great development of the 
 splint-bones characteristic of this breed. For remarks concerning 
 these and other specimens of the feet of Shire Horses see page 10. 
 
 The large case in the central arch on the northern side of the 
 hall contains the mounted head (N.H. 5) and skull (N.H. 23) of 
 the famous Shire Mare '' Starlight," presented ni 1906 by 
 Mrs. Crisp, the widow of the owner, Mr. F. Crisp, of Long 
 
28 THE HORSE FA.^IILY. 
 
 Stanton^ Cambridgeshire. This mare was foaled in 1882 and died 
 
 in 1899, her sire being " Sir CoHn ^' and her dam " Williamson's 
 
 Mettle. ""^ She was winner of a large number of first and 
 
 champion prizes at various shows, and likewise took the gold 
 
 medal at the London Shire Hoi'pe Show in 1890, 1891, and 
 
 1892. 
 
 -, ,,, .. (Ireat interest attaches to a mounted specimen of 
 
 The Khatiawar ^ ^^, . _. ,^t u jin r vi, j 
 
 a JJun Khatiawar rony (JN.H. 4) irom Anmed- 
 '■ nagar, India, exhibited in the case in the central arch 
 
 on the north side of the hall, on account of the presence of a dark 
 dorsal stripe and of zebra-like markings on the legs, as well as of a 
 trace of a shoulder-stripe. The specimen was presented by the 
 Superintendant of the Veterinary Department, Bombay, in 1903. 
 Ponies of this breed are referred to by Darwin on account of dun- 
 coloured specimens (like the one exhibited) so frequently showing- 
 dark barrings on the legs. The breed has been regarded as 
 mainly derived from the Arab, and very probably it may have been 
 crossed with the latter. In general colouring, and especially in 
 the presence of a dark stripe down the back, as well as in the large 
 size of the head and relatively low setting-on of tlie tail, which is 
 sparsely haired at the root, where some of the hairs are tan- 
 coloured, dun-coloured individuals are, however, much more like 
 the Dun Norwegian Pony and the Wild Mongolian Horse. 
 Arabs apparently never show a dark dorsal streak, which is 
 essentially a character of the dun northern type. Unfortunately 
 no specimen of the skull is at present available for a comparison of 
 the cheek-teeth with those of the Wild Mongolian Hjrse. 
 
 TL ftL- 1 ! The nearest livins; relative of the Horse is the Central 
 The Chigetai , . "^ , , , r^, ^ i 
 
 Asian species represented by the Chigetai or the 
 ^' Mongols and the Kiang of the Ladakis ; these being 
 apparently local races of a single species, Equus hemioims. These 
 animals are commonly termed Wild Asses, although they have no 
 near relationship to the true W^ild Asses [Equus asinus) of Africa. 
 Like all the undermentioned members of the family, the species 
 differs from the Horse by the absence of callosities on the hind- 
 limbs, and the large size and less warty nature of the front 
 callosities ; as well as by the tail having long hairs only near the tip. 
 
Fig. 19. 
 
 The Kiang. 
 (Lydekker, Proc. ZooL Sac. 1904, vol. i, pi. xxviii. 
 
 Fig. 20. 
 
 
 The Kobdo Onager. 
 (Lydekker, Novitate? ZooIof/iccVf \o\, xl, pi. xvii.^ 
 
 [ To face I' 'g<: 
 
KIA\G. 29 
 
 The Chigetai-Kiang is a native of Mongolia and Turkestan 
 ranging northwards to Transbaikalia and westwards to Transcaspia. 
 In size it is large, the height at the shoulder reachin*'- to 
 12J hands. The ears (in comparison with those of E. asiims) are 
 relatively small and horselike; and the hoofs are large and broad 
 the width of the front pair markedly exceeding that of the hind 
 ones. The tail-tuft is large, and a slight rudiment of a forelock is. 
 present. A relatively narrow dark dorsal stripe reaching- the tail- 
 tuft, and (in most cases at any rate) not bordered with white is 
 present; but there is no shoulder-stripe, or dark barring's on the 
 limbs, although there is a dark ring immediately above the hoofs. 
 The general colour of the upper-parts, in the summer coat, varies 
 fiom bright rufous chestnut (with a more or less marked tin^-e of 
 greyish fawn on the neck) to reddish sandy; but the muzzle the 
 inside of the ear, the throat, under-parts, the inner side of the leo-*< 
 and a streak on the buttocks, are pure white or huffish white. In 
 the long winter coat the general colour is apparently not distinctly 
 grey, although greyish in the typical form. The cry is a 
 '' shrieking bray.'^ 
 
 The Kiang {Equiis hemionus kiang, fig. 19;, of Ladak and Tibet, 
 as maybe seen by comparing the mounted specimen (M. 1013) in 
 the lower mammal gallery of the Museum with the example of 
 the Somali Wild Ass standing in the same case, is characterised 
 by the great width of the hoofs, more especially the front pair. In 
 this respect it approaches Equus caballus (as it does in its 
 relatively small ears and its colour), and differs widely from 
 E. asinus. The Ghor-khar and Onagers, on the other hand, have 
 small and narrow hoofs, like those of the last-named species. 
 
 The Kiang is by far the reddest of all the Asiatic Wild Asses, 
 and apparently becomes but little greyer in winter. In addition to 
 its small ears, broad hoofs, narrow dorsal stripe, and «-eneral 
 colour, it is affiliated to Equus caballus (inclusive of the Wild 
 Horse of Mongolia, E. c. przevalskii) by the nature of its cry, 
 which is to a great extent intermediate between that of the Horse 
 and the Ass ; although there is a certain amount of discrepancy 
 between the description of the Kiang's call given by different 
 observers. General Cunningham, for instance, in his w^ork on 
 ''Ladak,^^ calls it a neigh, and other observers have described it as 
 
30 THE HOBSE FAMILY. 
 
 much like neighing as braying; but Moorcroft and General 
 Strachey described it as more like braying than neighing, the 
 latter traveller observing that '^ my impression of the voice of the 
 Kiang is that it is a shrieking bray, not like that of the Common 
 Ass, but still a real bray, and not a neigh/' It is perfectly 
 distinct from the bray of E. asinus, and also differs from the cry 
 of one of the races of E. onager. 
 
 A sinuous profile, a narrow chocolate dorsal stripe, and chest- 
 nut body-colour, with pure ^vhite on the muzzle, shoulder, under- 
 parts and inner sides of the limbs are distinctive features of the 
 Kiang. 
 
 The typical race of the species (Efjuiis hemlonus typicus), 
 inhabiting Mongolia and Turkestan, is termed Chigetai by the 
 Mongols and Kulan by the Tatars and Kirghiz. It is at present 
 not shown in the collection. In its make and actions — especially 
 of starting when alarmed with the head so elevated that the plane 
 of the face is almost horizontal — as well as in the general type of 
 colouring, the Chigetai agrees essentially with the Kiang. Both in 
 the winter and summer coat it lacks, however, the distinctly rufous- 
 chestnut tint characteristic of the latter, while it is also characterised 
 by the less marked contrast between the light and dark areas of 
 the coat ; the light areas on the muzzle, buttocks, legs, under- 
 parts, etc., being '' Isabella-coloured ^' instead of white, and thus 
 less differentiated from the fawn of the rest of the body ; while 
 the light areas on the neck and shoulder are smaller. The general 
 colour is pale sandy fawn, with the tips of the ears, mane, dorsal 
 stripe (which is continued down the tail) brown ; and there seems 
 little difference in this respect between the summer and the winter 
 coat. 
 
 The next Asiatic representative of the family is the 
 Onager or Ghor-khar (Equus onager) of the 
 Ghor-khar. ^^^^^,^ districts of Western and W. Central Asia 
 and North-Western India, where it is represented by several local 
 races. In size it is considerably less than E. heniionus, the 
 minimum recorded height being 11 and the maximum llj hands. 
 The ears are apparently much the same as in the latter ; and the 
 hoofs are narrow and Ass-like ; the front pair being but little wider 
 than the hind pair. The profile of the face is either nearly straight 
 
ONAGER. 31 
 
 or markedly sinuous ; the tail-tuft is moderate, and the dark dorsal 
 stripe is very broad, in some cases stopping short of the tail-tuft, 
 and bordered_, at least posteriorly, by a band of white or whitish, 
 which joins the white on the buttocks and the back of the thighs. 
 The upper-parts, in the summer coat, are usually some shade of 
 pale reddish fawn or sandy (isabellinej ; while the light areas, 
 which vary from pure white to whity brown, are much the same 
 in extent as those of E. hemionus, but extend more on to the 
 buttocks, and thence along the sides of the dorsal stripe, and in 
 some cases occupy more of the body and head. In winter the long 
 and rough coat becomes more or less decidedly grey, and in one 
 race is distinctly mouse-grey with sharply defined white areas. 
 
 The cry of the Indian Ghor-khar is a '• shrieking bray,^^ and 
 therefore not unlike that of the Kiang ; but in the case of the 
 Syrian Onager, and probably also in that of the true Onager, it is 
 stated to be more like that of the Ass, to the wild forms of which 
 the species approximates in its narrow hoofs, broad dorsal stripe, 
 small tail-tuft, and grey colour of the winter coat in at least one 
 local race. 
 
 The Onager appears to be represented in a Prehistoric sketch 
 incised on a fragment of Reindeer antler discovered in the cave of 
 Kesslerloch, Schaffhausen. 
 
 No specimen of this species is at present exhibited. 
 
 Of the local races of this species, the first is the Indian Ghor- 
 khar (Equus onager indicus) of the deserts of Sind, Kach, and 
 Baluchistan. The height at the shoulder reaches 11^ hands, and 
 the profile of the face is straight. The general colour of the 
 upper-parts is sandy in summer, with the light band on each side 
 of the dorsal stripe narrow, ill-defined^ and whitey-brown in colour, 
 and the white on the rump not pure. The broad dorsal stripe does 
 not reach the tail-tuft. 
 
 The second race is the Kobdo Onager {Equus imarjer castaneuSj 
 fig. 20), from Kirghis-Nor, Kobdo, in Western Mongolia, charac- 
 terised by the straight profile of the face, the rufous isabella hue of 
 the summer coat, the full mouse-grey colour of the winter coat, the 
 large amount of pure white on the buttocks, and the distinctness of 
 the pure white band on each side of the dorsal stripe, which extends 
 quite down to the tail-tuft. The broad chocolate-coloured dorsal 
 
32 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 Stripe reaches to the tail-tuft, and is bordered on each side by a 
 wide pure white band, expanding to join a large white blaze on the 
 buttocks and the hind surface of the thighs. The other light areas 
 are the muzzle, throat, chest, under-parts^ and inner sides and 
 lower portions of the limbs ; the inside of the ears being greyish 
 white, while elsewhere the general colour in the winter coat is grey- 
 fawn, with a faint tinge of sandy rufous in places. In the summer 
 coat the dark areas are bright sandy fawn or rufous isabella, with a 
 white rump-patch, muzzle, and under-parts ; the sides of the face 
 and throat, as well as the outer side of the lower part of the legs, 
 being pale isabella, as is also an indistinct line on the flank in 
 front of the thigh. In no other Onager with a uniform body- 
 colour is there such a large white rump-patch. 
 
 The Syrian Onager [Equus onager hemippus), of the deserts 
 between Bagdad and Palmyra, Mesopotamia, and North Arabia, is 
 reddish isabeiia-colour above, with the dorsal stripe not extending 
 to the root of the tail, of which the tip is moderately haired; the 
 throat, the under-parts, a broad band on each side of the dorsal 
 stripe, the hind border of the thigh, and an oblique band above 
 the flanks are silver-white. So far as is known, the profile is 
 sinuous, and the ears and head are relatively small. 
 
 The fourth race is the Persian Onager (Equus onager typicus) 
 of Northern Persia, characteristic by the predominance of the 
 white over the fawn-coloured areas of the head and body. The 
 general colour is silvery white ; the dorsal stripe does not reach 
 the tail-tuft ; and the head, tne sides of the neck, a small, ill- 
 defined band in front of the shoulder, a larger quadrangular patch 
 on the sides of the body, the middle of the hip, and the upper part 
 of the limbs are isabella-colour. The profile is remarkably convex, 
 and the ears are relatively small. This race is the lightest in 
 colour of all the Asiatic Wild Asses, the fawn-coloured area being 
 reduced to large isolated patches. 
 
 Grevys 
 Zebra. 
 
 The species known as Grevy^s Zebra [Equus grevyi, 
 .M. 1025, fig. 21), which inhabits Sornaliland and 
 Abyssinia, and is thus the most northerly of the striped 
 group, is markedly difiercnt in many respects from the true Zebras 
 and Quaggas. The arrangement of the striping on the hind- 
 quarters is altogether unique ; the callosities on the fore-legs are as 
 
Fig. 21. 
 
 'xai^^Kmu 
 
 iSSEOSBS:' 
 
 Grevy's Zebra. 
 
 Fig. 22. 
 
 The Quagga, 
 From a photograph of a living specimen.) 
 
 To face pa^e 32. 
 
QUAGGA. 33 
 
 'Small as in the Horse ; and, as in that species, the mane extends on 
 to the withers, and the tail-tuft is large and full. Furthermore, the 
 large, broad, and thickly-haired ears are quite different from those of 
 all other members of the family, which are narrow and pointed. The 
 large size of the ears and the narrowness of the stripes appear to be 
 adaptations to a life partially spent in thick scrub, as is shown in 
 a photograph by Lord Delamere, exhibited in the lower mammal 
 -gallery. A fine male specimen of the species, presented by 
 Gen. Sir A. H. Fitzroy Paget, is shown in the large Zebra case 
 in the same gallery. 
 
 The colour-pattern of Grevy^s Zebra may be described as 
 follows : — The dark (dark brown or black) and light stripes on the 
 body, head, and limbs are for the most part very narrow, widening 
 out only on the lower jaw, on the neck, and on the lower part of 
 the thigh. On the flank none of the stripes bend backwards and 
 upwards to extend on to the hind-quarters, the upper portion of 
 which is marked with vertical stripes arranged concentrically round 
 the root of the tail. The dorsal stripe is very broad, especially 
 near the middle of the back ; and there are no transverse stripes on 
 the under-parts. The stripes on the nose practically stop short 
 of the nostril-patches, and the nose itself is greyish. 
 
 It will be evident from this description that in the present 
 species the stripes on the rump have their concavity directed 
 upwards, whereas in the next species the convexity is upwards. 
 
 Two races, or subspecies, of Grevy^s Zebra have been named. 
 
 J, j» The extinct South African Quagga {Equus quagga, 
 
 ^ ^^ " M. 1 01 7, fig. 22), together with the following striped 
 species, has the callosities on the front legs larger than in Grevy's 
 Zebra, and the stripes broader. In this group, whenever the hind- 
 quarters are striped, the stripes are obliquely longitudinal, with 
 the uppermost ones arising from the posterior region of the body, 
 where their upper extremities are bent backwards towards the root 
 of the tail in such a manner that there is no concentric arrangement 
 round the latter. The muzzle is dark, and usually black, and the 
 stripes on the nose are continuous with the dark patches round the 
 nostrils. The ears are narrow. 
 
 In the Quagga, which was confined to the plains south of the 
 Orange River, the ears are comparatively small, the front hoofs are 
 
 D 
 
34 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 rather large, and full striping is developed only on the head, neck, 
 and fore-quarters, although in some specimens spots on the flanks 
 indicate disappearing stripes further back. The stripts do not 
 extend across the lower surface of the body. The general colour 
 appears to have been yellowish red, or chestnut. 
 
 The species is represented in the collection by the mounted skin 
 and the skeleton of a male formerly living in the Zoological 
 Gardens in Regent's Park. That animal, which was one of the last 
 survivors of the species, was presented to the Zoological Society 
 by Sir George Grey_, K.C.B. in 1858, and lived in the Menagerie 
 in the Regent's Park till June 1864. 
 
 The skin is exhibited in case No. 38, in the lower mammal 
 gallery, and the skull on the opposite side of the same case. 
 This skull shows a vestige of a cavity in front of the eye-socket. 
 
 It is very probable that several local races of the Quagga 
 formerly existed, and four of these have already been recognized 
 and named. In the case of an extinct species it is_, however, very 
 difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion with regard to 
 its local forms. 
 
 The following observations in regard to the colouring of 
 Quaggas and Zebras appeared in Nature for 1903. 
 
 Colouriny of The testimony of observers in the field has established 
 Quaggas the truth that the coloration of the coat renders a 
 and Zebras. Zebra invisible under three conditions_, namely, at a 
 distance on the open plain in midday_, at close quarters in the 
 dusk and on moonlit nights, and in the cover afforded by thickets. 
 One reason for this is the blending of the white stripes with the 
 shafts of light sifted through the foliage and branches and reflected 
 by the leaves of the trees, so that in an uncertain light or at long 
 range these mutually counteract each other and fuse to a uniform 
 grey. It is also probable that the alternate arrangement of the 
 black and white bars contributes something to the efiect produced, 
 by imparting a blurred appearance to the body and destroying the 
 evenness of its surface owing to the difference in light-reflecting 
 power between hairs of these hues. Again, the extension of the 
 stripes to the edge of the body and legs breaks up the continuity 
 of the outline, this being apparently the reason for the alteration 
 in their direction on the hind-quarters and limbs, so that, except 
 
BONTE-QUAGGA. 35 
 
 on the forehead, the whole animal is barred transversely with 
 reference to the lines of its spine and limbs. 
 
 It is also stated that the Asses of the deserts of North-East 
 Africa are perfectly adapted to their surroundings in colour, and 
 no one can doubt that the assimilation is equally perfect in the 
 case of the Kiang and the Wild Horse of Central Asia. In the 
 matter of colouring the Kiang recalls the Quagga, despite a 
 difference in the deepness of the brown pervading the upper-parts 
 in the two species. Notwithstanding this difference, there seems 
 no question that the explanation of the significance of the colouring 
 of the Kiang appUes with equal truth to the Quagga. This 
 explanation is the action of light and shade. 
 
 In the Kiang it will be noticed that the upper-parts, on which 
 the light falls, are of a rich ruddy hue, darker than ordinary sand, 
 while the muzzle, the lower side of the head, the throat and 
 uuder-parts are creamy white ; an arrangement which must render 
 it practically invisible when standing in the desert at a distance. 
 The white limbs and backs of the thighs may be explained as 
 follows : — When a Kiang lies down, with the hind-quarters 
 depressed, the fore-legs folded and the hind-legs tucked in close to 
 the body, the white on the back of the thighs is brought into line 
 with that of the belly, and a continuous expanse of white, obliter- 
 ating the shadow, extends all along the underside from the knee 
 to the root of the tail. The same is the case with the Quagga and 
 the under-mentioned Bonte-Quagga ; and it indicates, in the case 
 of the latter, the meaning of the change in pattern presented 
 by the different local races as we pass from Somaliland southwards 
 into Cape Colony. In correlation with the adoption of a life in 
 the open, a new method of concealment by means of shadow 
 counteraction was required, and was perfected by the toning down 
 of the stripes on the upper side and the suppression of those on 
 the hind-quarters, legs, and under-parts. 
 
 U . ||, y , Although the typical southern race of the 
 
 exceedingly variable species known as Equus 
 
 ^ ^^ ■ burchelli is commonly called Burehell's Zebra, 
 
 it is much better designated by its Boer title of Bonte-Quagga 
 
 (i. e. Painted Quagga), since this obviates the use of such incon- 
 
36 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 venient names as " Chapirian^s BurchelFs Zebra. '^ The species is 
 very closely allied to the Quagga, from which perhaps it is not 
 really separable ; but the stripes are always well developed on the 
 hind-quarters, where they present the characters mentioned under 
 the heading of that animal. The species displays remarkable 
 variation in colouring and markings as we proceed from south to 
 north ; the typical southern race (fig. 23) having dark brown 
 stripes with intervening brown '^ shadow-stripes '^ on an orange 
 ground, and un striped legs, whereas in the northern race (fig. 24) 
 the stripes, which are black on a white ground, extend down to 
 the hoofs, and have no intervening shadow-stripes. 
 
 In all cases the upper extremities of some five or six stripes on 
 the hind half of the body are bent backwards parallel to the dorsal 
 stripe ; while the light area between these body-stripes and the 
 dorsal stripe is continued to the root of the tail, and is not crossed 
 by transverse bars, but traversed longitudinally by the backward 
 extension of at least one of the body-stripes. 
 
 The typical Burchell's Bonte-Quagga, or BurchelPs Zebra (Equus 
 burchelli typicus, M. 1018^ fig. 23), now nearly, if not completely, 
 extinct as a wild animal, formerly inhabited British Bechuanaland 
 and some of the adjacent districts in enormous droves. In this race 
 the ground-colour is orange, and the shadow- stripes on the hind- 
 quarters are very strongly marked, and narrower than the main 
 stripes, which are themselves broader than the light interspaces 
 containing the shadow-stripes. The hind -quarters have only a 
 few short stripes below the long stripe running to the root of the 
 tail ; the body-stripes stop short on the sides of the uuder-parts, 
 so as to be widely separated from the longitudinal ventral stripe ; 
 and, with the occasional exception of a few on the knees and hocks, 
 the legs are devoid of stripes, as are usually the sides of the tail. 
 
 This race is represented by a specimen from the Orange River 
 Colony, the gift of the Hon. Walter Rothschild. 
 
 The next race (and only some of the more important ones are 
 here referred to) is the Damaraland Bonte-Quagga [E. burchelli 
 antiquorum) in which stripes are developed above the knees and 
 hocks, but none (or very few) below^ It is unrepresented in the 
 exhibited series. 
 
 With the Zulu Bonte-Quagga [E. burchelli wahlbergi) we. 
 
Fig. 23. 
 
 The Bonte-Quagga or Burchell's Zebra. Typical Race. 
 (Lyon, Proc. U. S, Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, pi. i.) 
 
 Fig. 24. 
 
 Grant's Bonte-Quagga. 
 (Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1901, vol. ii, pi. xxix.) 
 
 [To face pageSH, 
 
BONTE-QUAGGA. 37 
 
 reach a race in which, like all those which follow, the body-stripes^ 
 meet the ventral stripe inferiorly, while the legs are more or less 
 fully striped. In this particular race the shadow- stripes 
 on the hind-quarters are strongly developed, and not much 
 narrower than the main stripes, which are narrower than the inter- 
 vening spaces; and the fetlocks and pasterns are devoid of stripes or 
 spots. This race is represented in the collection by a specimen 
 (M. 1022) purchased in 1846 from Mr. Wahlberg, after whom it is 
 named. In Chapman^s Bonte-Quagga {E. burchelli chapmani) the 
 shadow-stripes have become faint and narrow, the legs are marked to 
 the hoofs, but the stripes on their lower portions tend to break up 
 into spots^ and the inferior part of the pasterns is not wholly black. 
 This race inhabits the country between Damaraland and Mata- 
 bililand; it is represented in the exhibited collection only by a 
 photograph. The last representative of the species in which 
 shadow-stripes are distinctly developed is the Mashona Bonte- 
 Quagga {E. burchelli selousi), of which an example shot by Mr. F. 
 C. Selous (M. 1023) is exhibited in the large case in the Horse 
 bay in the lower mammal gallery. It differs from the last in 
 that the striping of the legs is complete right down to the hoofs ; 
 the pasterns beiug striped on both sides, and their lower part, 
 owing to the fusion of several stripes, wholly black. The sides 
 of the tail are also striped. 
 
 All the foregoing races inhabit the country south of the 
 Zambesi, but they have a representative north of that river in the 
 Kilimanjaro Bonte-Quagga (E. burchelli boehmi, M. 1021), 
 which is nearly allied to E. b. selousi, but retains scarcely any 
 trace of shadow-stripes, while the stripes on the pasterns remain 
 distinct from one another. The shadow-stripes are frequently 
 visible only on the hind-quarters. The specimen exhibited was 
 presented by the Hon. Walter Rothschild. 
 
 The most northern members of the species are Crawshay's 
 Bonte-Quagga [E. burchelli craw shmji) of British Central Africa, or 
 Nyasaland, represented by a head (M. 1019) given by Lt.-Col. 
 Manning in 1901, and Grant^s Bonte-Quagga {E. burchelli granti) 
 M. 1020, fig. 24), ranging from British East Africa (Masailand) 
 to Southern Abyssinia, of which a complete specimen from Lake 
 Baringo is shown. In both races the shadow-stripes have 
 
38 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 completely disappeared, and the principal stripes on the hind- 
 quarters are not narrower (and may be broader) than the 
 intervening spaces, which are white. In E. burchelli crawshayi 
 the stripes are relatively narrow and deep black in colour, while 
 the nostril-patches are yellowish brown, or tan, and the pasterns 
 are coloured like those of E. burchelli selousi. In E. burchelli 
 granti, on the other hand, the stripes are broader and apparently 
 less completely black, while the nostril-patches are black, and the 
 stripes on nearly the whole of the pasterns have fused into a 
 continuous black patch. 
 
 The difference between E. burchelli granti and E. burchelli 
 typicus, in the matter of colour and pattern, is much greater than 
 that between the latter and E. quagga. 
 
 Th 7 h The true Zebra [Equus zebra, M. 1024, fig. 25), often 
 termed the Mountam Zebra, ni order to distmguish it 
 from the Bonte-Quagga or BurchelFs Zebra of the plains, is a very 
 different animal to the last, and much more nearly related to the Ass. 
 In the first place, the direction of the hairs along the spine between 
 the withers and the rump is reversed, so that they are inclined 
 forwards instead of backwards. Secondly, the ears are longer, the 
 hoofs are narrower, and the tail-tuft is more scanty. Thirdly, all 
 the body-stripes, with the exception of two passing on to the rump 
 and hind-quarters, are continued upwards to meet the longitudinal 
 dorsal stripe which they cut at right angles ; while the area on 
 the rump between the dorsal stripe and the uppermost haunch-stripe 
 running to the root of the tail, in place of being longitudinally 
 striped, is marked by a series of transverse bars forming a 
 ^'gridiron-pattern."" The body-stripes stop short on the sides, so 
 as to be far removed from the ventral stripe. 
 
 The Zebra was formerly found in all the mountain-ranges of 
 Cape Colony, but is now restricted to the Cradock district, where 
 it is protected by law. It was from this locality that the specimen 
 exhibited in the Lower Mammal Gallery was obtained. The 
 species is represented in Angola by Penrice's Zebra [E. zebra 
 penricei), and in Damaraland by Hartmann^s Zebra {E. z. hart- 
 mannce), which are, however, perhaps not separable from one 
 another. 
 
Fig. 26. 
 
 The Mountaix Zebra. 
 Fig. 26. 
 
 The Nubian Wild Ass. 
 (Lydekker, Xovitates Zouloyicce, vol. xi, pi. xx.) 
 
 iToJace page 3». 
 
AFRICAN ASS. 39 
 
 J.J. In the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 
 
 """Sr foj. ]904 (p. 181) Prof. J. C. Ewart described a Zebra, 
 
 /phi* 51 Q 
 
 probably from the district between the upper part of the 
 Tana River and Lake Kudolf, resembling E. zebra in height, the 
 form and size of the head, ears, and muzzle, in the characters of 
 the mane, tail, and hoofs, and also in the gridiron-pattern of the 
 rump-stripes. It differs from that species in the backward 
 inclination of the hairs of the broad dorsal stripe, and in certain 
 details of striping and colour; the ground-colour being rich 
 cream. The name of Ward^s Zebra was suggested for this 
 animal. 
 
 In the same Journal for 1906 (p. 691) the Hon. Walter 
 Rothschild described, as Equus annectans, a Zebra from N. E. 
 Rhodesia distinguished by its narrow white stripes and broad 
 black stripes extending from behind the ears to the root of the 
 tail. The longitudinal stripes, which extend from the root of the 
 tail more towards the shoulder than in any other Zebra, are united 
 to the transverse stripes, instead of being broken, as in most 
 races of the Bonte-Quagga. In the absence of chestnut on the 
 face it resembles E. burchelli selousi. The head, limbs, and tail 
 are evenly marked with narrow white stripes on a black ground ; 
 and the ears are also strongly striped. The skull is stated to 
 be intermediate between that of the Zebra and that of the 
 Bonte-Quagga. Another Zebra, from German East Africa, has 
 been named by Dr. P. Matschie (Weidwerk in Wort und Bild, 
 1906, p. 236) as Hippotigris muansa. 
 
 The last of the living representatives of the Horse 
 Thfi Ass 
 
 ■ family is the Ass {Equus asinus), which in a domesticated 
 
 condition, is found almost throughout the habitable world, and as 
 
 a wild animal in North-eastern Africa, south of the Tropic, from 
 
 Upper Nubia to Somaliland. It is the only Wild Ass found within 
 
 the tropics, and the only one which is completely grey at all 
 
 seasons of the year. The typical form of the species appears to 
 
 be the Domesticated Ass of North-western Europe. 
 
 The bodily size in the wild state is medium or large, the height 
 
 at the shoulder ranging from 3 ft. 9J in. to 4 ft. I in. The ears 
 
 are very long, the hoofs small and narrow, with no marked 
 
40 THE HORSE FAMILY, 
 
 fsuperiority in the size of the front pair; while the tail-tuft is 
 moderate, and there is no trace o£ a fore-lock. The dark dorsal 
 stripe is narrow, and in some cases discontinuous, not reaching the 
 tail-tuft, and being without white borders. Either a shoulder- 
 stripe or dark barrings on the legs, or both together (in the 
 domesticated race), are present, and there is no dark ring above the 
 hoofs. There is a distinct white ring round the eye, but no white 
 on the buttocks or rump. The general colour of the upper-parts is 
 at all seasons pure or tawny grey-fawn ; the muzzle, a ring round each 
 eye, the under surface of the lower jaw, the inside of the ear, the 
 under-parts, and the inner surface and much of the lower portion 
 of the legs, being pure white. Apparently there is no marked (if 
 any) difference, either in colour or length, between the summer 
 and the winter coat. The cry is a bray. 
 
 Tliere are two wild races of the species, namely the Nubian Wild 
 Ass [Equus asinus africanus, M. 1014, fig. 26) inhabiting North- 
 eastern Africa, that is to say Senaar and Nubia; its range formerly 
 extending as far as the fifth cataract of the Nile, and eastwards to 
 the River Atbara and the Daaakil district, but not including 
 Abyssinia. It is half-wild in Socotra. Year by year the range 
 of this race appears to become more and more restricted ; and 
 unless measures be taken for its protection, there is danger that it 
 may be exterminated. The race is characterised by its generally 
 inferior size (ranging from about 3 ft. 9^ in. to 3 ft. 11^ in.) as 
 compared with the Somali race, the generally greyish fawn-colour, 
 the continuous, although very narrow dorsal stripe, the presence 
 of a short shoulder-stripe, and of a dark patch on each side of the 
 front fetlock, and the absence of distinct dark barrings on the 
 legs. 
 
 It is represented in the lower mammal gallery by a male 
 specimen (M. 1014) from Nakheila, on the Atbara River, 
 presented by the Hon. Charles N. Rothschild in 1904, and also 
 by the head of a female from Yalalub^ Eastern Sudan, given by 
 Mr. H. VV. Haig. 
 
 A small breed of Nubian Wild Asses inhabits the island of 
 fSocotra. These Asses, which appear to have been originally 
 imported from the mainland, stand only about 3^ feet at the 
 shoulder. They are characterised by perfect similarity in colour 
 
SOMALI ASS. 41 
 
 and markings, the nose, a wide ring round the eye, as well as the 
 chest and belly, being white, and the legs nearly so, thus con- 
 trasting strongly with the mouse-coloured head and back. The 
 black stripes on the shoulder and down the middle of the back, 
 and a few somewhat irregular dusky rings round the legs, are also 
 clearly defined. 
 
 The second, or Somali, race {Equus asinus somaliensis 
 M. 1015);, ranges from Somalilaud, through Danakil and Gallaland, 
 to the Red Sea. It is distinguished from the Nubian race by 
 its superior size, the pale and more greyish colour, the absence 
 of a shoulder-stripe, the slightly developed and discontinuous 
 dorsal stripe, and the presence of a number of distinct black bars 
 on the legs, and of a brownish patch on the front of each foot 
 above the hoof. The head and ears are also relatively shorter, 
 with less black on the front of the tips, the mane is longer and 
 inclined to be pendent ; and the white round the eye and on the 
 muzzle is less pure and less sharply defined from the fawn, while 
 there is no white on the under side of the lower jaw and the angle 
 of the throat. 
 
 It is represented in the exhibited collection by a mounted male 
 specimen (M. 10) presented by Gen. Sir A. H. Fitzroy Paget 
 in 1893. 
 
 The Domesticated Ass is undoubtedly the direct descendant of 
 one or both of the wild races ; and, unlike the Horse, exhibits 
 very little variation from the ancestral type ; such modifications as 
 do exist being restricted to colour and size. The colour variations 
 consist of a tendency to albinism on the one hand, and melanism 
 on the other ; the extremes being represented respectively by white 
 and by black Asses. As regards size, the extreme modification is 
 represented by the Dwarf Ass of India and Ceylon, which does not 
 stand more than about two feet at the shoulder. 
 
 In Egypt the Ass was known in a domesticated state long 
 previous to the Horse ; and a skull from an Egyptian tomb 
 (N. H. 24), presented in 1900 by Professor Flinders-Petrie, is 
 exhibited in the large Horse case in the north hall. The only 
 other specimens illustrating this species are two skulls (N.H. 26, 
 27) male and female, from Aden, presented by the Royal Society 
 in 1899. 
 
 E 
 
42 THE HORSE FAMILY. 
 
 II , . . It is propable that all the existing members of the Horse 
 family will interbreed, although their offspring is almost 
 invariably infertile. The most common hybrid is the Mule, the 
 product of the male Ass with the female Horse; the opposite hybrid 
 being the Hinny, a much rarer cross. No specimen of either of 
 these hybrids is shown ; the only hybrid Equine exhibited being a 
 cross between a male Zebra {Equus zebra) and a female Ghor-khar, 
 or Onager [E. onager). In this hybrid (N. H. 125), which was 
 foaled in the Zoological Society^s Menagerie in the Regent's Park 
 the general characters are those of the Ass, as is exemplified by the 
 large ears, the strongly marked shoulder-stripe, and the nearly 
 uniform body-colour. In the distinctly striped legs, as well as in 
 the darker flecking of the body (representing disappearing stripes) 
 Zebra-characters are, however, displayed ; the striping of the 
 Zebras and Quaggas, which appears to have been inherited from 
 the ancestors of the family, being a '^ prepotent '' feature always 
 strongly pronounced in hybrids of this nature. 
 
 Two other hybrids are represented by pictures. The first is 
 Prof. Ewarts^ " Romulus," the offspring of a male Bonte-Quagga 
 or BurchelPs Zebra [Equus burchelli) and a West Highland Pony 
 mare, of which two photographs are shown. The second, repre- 
 sented by a painting executed and presented by Miss Nellie Hadden 
 in 1904, is a hybrid brought to this country by Lord Kitchener 
 and presented to H.M. the King, by whom it was desposited in 
 the Menagerie of the Zoological Society. Its sire was a Pony, and 
 its dam a Bonte-Quagga (BurchelPs Zebra). It is noteworthy 
 that although both these hybrids are very fully striped, the 
 general body-colour (bay) of the Horse is retained. 
 
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