The Arab saddle consists of a wooden saddle-tree, surmounted in front by a long _kerbouss_ or pommel, and by a broad troussequin behind, high enough to protect the loins. The whole is covered and held together, without nails or pegs, by a plain camel's skin which gives it great solidity. The bands rest on the animal's back, and are broad and flat, with a proper regard for the freedom of the withers and loins, and afford a roomy and commodious seat. This last is very hard, and it requires long practice to get used to it. The chiefs cover it with a woollen cushion; but the common horsemen make it a point of honour to ride on the bare wood, pretending that the use of cushions is excessive effeminacy, and by diminishing their points of contact cannot fail to invite them to sleep during a long course, and consequently expose them to injure their horses. This is all the more meritorious that for the most part, and especially in summer they ride without trousers or drawers. The saddle-tree is concealed by a _stara_, or covering of red morocco, without ornament, in the case of individuals who are poor or not very well-to do; and by a _ghrebaria_, or covering of cloth or scarlet velvet, embroidered with gold or silver thread, and ornamented with fringes, in the case of rich people and chiefs. The _deïr_, or breast-piece, is very broad and is placed like that of our French saddle. Its extremities are provided with two strong buckles of iron or chased silver, and are fastened to the saddle-tree by small girth-leathers, so placed as to keep the saddle in its true position. The Arabs will have nothing to do with a crupper. They say it interferes with every forward movement by the restraint it imposes on the animal. They use it only with bat mules and donkeys, and even then they do not pass it under the tail.