Officer of Mountain Rifles.
Another peculiar body of troops are the five battalions of Zéphyrs Light African Infantry. They consist of very bad characters who are sent to the Corps as a punishment for their crimes. They garrison different districts in Algeria, as a rule the most unpleasant ones, and though formerly never employed in Europe, will now be allowed to do so in future wars.
The Foreign Legion, numbering 5,000 men, consists of foreigners voluntarily enlisted for five years. They do not have a happy time of it.
Cavalry.
The Cavalry, with the latest additions to it, is composed of 79 regiments of 5 squadrons each (including a depôt-squadron), and 4 regiments of Spahis of 6 squadrons each—total, 419 squadrons. They consist of—
| 12 | Regiments | of | Cuirassiers, |
| 28 | ” | ” | Dragoons, |
| 21 | ” | ” | Chasseurs à Cheval, |
| 12 | ” | ” | Hussars, |
| 6 | ” | ” | Chasseurs d’Afrique, |
| 4 | ” | ” | Spahis. |
Total, 83 regiments.
The whole of the Cavalry is armed with the cut-and-thrust sword. Lances there are none. The Cuirassiers carry a revolver, the other regiments a carbine. The cuirass is still worn in Cuirassier regiments.
