BARB, the name of a noble breed of horses reared by the Moors of Barbary and Morocco, and introduced into Spain during their dominion in that country, whore however it has been suffered to degenerate greatly since their expulsion. The noble race of Barbary homes which we commonly call Barbs are of rare occurrence even in their own country, where the tyranny of the governors holds out no inducement to private individuals to rear an animal of which they may be deprived without scruple or compensation by the first man in power who happens to fancy it. It is only among the wild nomadic tribes of the desert, whose roving habits and inhospitable country place them beyond the control of the ordinary powers of tho state, that this breed exists in perfeetion. The common horse of Barbary la a very inferior animal, which, if originally derived from the same source as the noble race of Barbs, has greatly degenersted. In the beauty and symmetry of their forms however even the latter aro far from excelling : their valuable qualities—and in these they are perhaps unequalled by any other breed in existence—are, unrivalled speed, eurprisinf bottom, abstinence, patience and endurance under fatigue, and gent ones!' of temper. Their points would not plena° the critical eye of a member of the Jockey Club : the held is large and clumsy ; the neck short and thick; the chest broad and powerful; yet the body and legs are so long and Mender as to resemble those of a greyhound, and form a ivrfect contrast to the rest of the animal. But the Moors do not regard the external appearance of their horses so much as their temper, speed, and capability to endure fatigue ; and the animals which pewees these valuable qualities are cherished with all the kindness and attention that are bestowed on children. Their mode of treatment is very different from that practised in Europe. They aro very early accustomed to the saddle, are mounted at two years old, and have their mance and tails cropped till the age of six, under the supposition that it adds to their strength and bottom. After this period they are never dressed, nor are their manes and tails combed ; if dirty they are washed in the next stream, and some are even said to be offended by Europeans patting their horses with the palm of the luutd, from an apprehension of its injuring their coat. They are never
castrated, nor have the Moore the bad taste to seek to improve upon nature by cropping the cars and tails of their horses, as ts practised by some nations ; a Mussulumu will neither mutilate nor sell the skin of 'the beast of the prophet,' the noblest of animals. The homes alone are used for the saddle, the mares being kept for breeding, except among somo of the predatory tribes of the Desert, who find that the neighing of the horses is apt to betray their approach, and give notice of their coming to the caravans which are the objects of their attack. Walking and galloping are the only paces which those animals are allowed to practise; and it is even considered vulgar to trot or canter. Generally speaking, the Moors avoid giving their horses violent exercise, or overheating them, except upon extraor dinary occasions ; and among the Desert tribes it is only in their cavalry exercises, such as throwing the lance, &c., that their speed is at all put forth. On these occasions however they aro nut spared, and it is surprising with what rapidity and precision they perform the different evolutions. These indeed are nut so complicated as the tactics of more civilised nations, but they are much more severe upon the cattle, and would soon break down the best of our European breeds. The great exercise of the Moorish cavalry consists in galloping their horsca at tho very height of their speed for the distance of about a quarter of a mile, and then making them step suddenly short, while the rider delivers his spear or fires his musket ; and of this amusement the people are so excessively fond, that they frequently continue it for hours together without a moment'e inter mission to breathe or change their horses. Yet notwithstanding such violent exercises, very little care is afterwards taken of the horses ; still they are said to be long-lived and remarkably free from diseases. Such distempers as farcy and glanders are unknown; spavin and mullender are of very rare occurrence.