Przevalsky's Wild Horse. A Description Which Equestrians May Value.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2048, 22 August 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Przevalsky's Wild Horse. A Description Which Equestrians May Value.

Grew interest is attached to the question of the origin of our domestio animals, and especially to that of the horse— whioh is generally Bupposed not now to en in an oborginally wild state. Every fact bearing upon this subject is of importance, and the discovery by the wreat linaiian traveller, Przevalsky, of a new wild horse, more nearly allied to the domestic horse than any previously known upecies, ia certainly well worthy of attention. This new animal wan depcribed in 1881 in & Bussian journal by Mr. S. Poliatow, and dedicated to its discoverer as equu3 przevalskii. The recently issued German translation of Przavalsky's third journey enables us to give further particulars of thia intercpting discovery. Przev&lsky's wild horpe h«vs warts on its hind legs as well as on its fore legs, and has broad hoofs like the true horse. But the long hairs of the tail, instead of commencing at the base, do not begin until about half way down the tail. In this respect equus pr7Gvaiskii is intermediate between the true none and the ass. It also diCers from the typical cquus in bnving a short, erect mane, and in having no forelock, that, is no bunch of hairs in front of the mane falling down over the forehead. Nor has Przevalsky's horse any dorsal stripe, which, although by no means universal, is often found in the typical hor.se, and it ia almost always present in the as*. Its whole general color is of a whitish gray, paler and whiter beneath, and roddiah on the head. The legs are reddish to the knees, and thence blackish down to the hoofs. It ia of small stature, but the legs are very thick and strong, and the bead ia large and heavy. The ears are smaller than those of the ass. Przevalsky's wild horse inhabits the great Diungarian Desert between the Altai and Tianschan Mnuntains, where it is called by the Tartars " Kertag," and by the Mongols " Statur." It is met with in troops of from five to fifteen individuals, led by an old stallion. Apparently the rent of these troops consist of marea, which all belong to the single stallion. They are lively animals, very shy, and with highly developed organs of sight, hearing and smelling. They keep to the wildest part 3 of the desert, and are very hard to approach. They seem especially to prefer the saline districts and to be able to do long without water. The pursuit of this wild horee can only be carried on in Winter, becauee the hunter must live in the waterless distiiots, and roust depend upon a supply of water from melted enow. As may well be believed, such an expedition during the severest cold of Winter into the most remote part of the desert must take at least a month. During the whole time of his stay in the Dsung&rian Desert Przevalsky met with only two herds of this wild horgp. In vain he and his companions fired at theae animals. With outstretohod hesd and uplifted tail the stallion disappeared liko lightning, with the rest of tho herd after him. Przev&ltky and his companions could not keep near them, and soon lost their tracks. On the second occasion they came upon them from one aide, yet one of the herd discovered their presence, and they were all gone in an instant. The single specimen of Przevalsty's horse subsequently procured is now in the Museum of the Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg, and is the only example of this Bpecies in Europe. — Nature.