Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates Vol 2 - The Search For Mecca

268 Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates, [cu. xxvm.
mares at least, of tlie former, are always preferred,
ill
tlie hopes of a fine progeny.
" The Arabians have indeed no tables of genealogy
to prove the descent of their Kochlani ;
yet they
are sure of the legitimacy of the progeny ; for a
mare of this race is never covered unless in the
presence of witnesses, who must be Arabians.
people do not indeed always stickle at perjury ;
This
but
in a case of such serious importance, they are careful
to deal conscientiously. There is no instance of
false testimony given in respect
to the descent of a
horse. Every Arabian is persuaded that himself
and his whole family would be ruined, if
he should
prevaricate in giving his oath in an affair of such
consequence.
" The Arabians make no scruple of selling their
Kochlani stallions like other horses ; but they are
unwilling to part with their mares for money.
When not in a condition to support them, they dispose
of them to others, on the terms of having a
ushare in the foals, or of being at liberty to recover
them after a certain time.
" These Kochlani are much like the old Arabian
nobility, the dignity of whose birth is held in no
estimation unless in their own country. These
horses are little valued by the Turks.
Their country
being more fertile, better watered, and less level,
swift horses are less necessary to them than to the
Arabians. They prefer large liorses, who have a
stately appearance when sumptuously harnessed.