l:j8 ANIMAL MIX'IIANISM. 



CHAPTER IV. 



QUADRUPEDAL LOCOMOTION STUDIED IN THE HORSE. 



[nsnfficiency of the senses for the analysis of tlic paces of the horse 

 Comparison of I Midi's Khytlmis of tlie prices studied by means of the 

 car Insufficiency of language to express th"sc rhythms -Musical 

 nutation Notation of the amble, of the walkinj pace, of tlie trot 

 Synoptical table of paces noted according to the definition of eacli of 

 them by dilferent authors Instruments intended .to determine by tlie 

 graphic method the rhythms of the various paces, aud tho re-actions 

 which accompany them 



THERE is scarcely any branch of animal mechanics which 

 has given rise to more labour and greater controversy than the 

 question of tho paces of the horse. Tlie subject is one of 

 grent importance to a large number of persons engaged iu 

 special pursuits, but its extreme complexity has caused in- 

 terminable discussions. Any one who proposed at the present 

 time to write a treatise on the paces of the horse, would have 

 to discuss many different opinions put forward by a great 

 number of authors. 



While reading these works, on which so much sagacity of 

 observation and such rigorous reasoning have been expended, 

 one is astonished to find that the greater number of these 

 writers are not agreed in their definitions of the paces. This 

 disagreement in similar observers can only be accounted for 

 on the principle of the insufficiency of tho means at their 

 disposal to enable them to analyse tlie very complex and rapid 

 movements of the horse. The dilliciilty of expressing in 

 words the rhythms and tl.o durations of these various move- 

 ments adds still more to the confusion. "When a horse is 

 running, and passing from one kind of motion to another; 

 when he moves his limbs \\ith a rapidity which makes one 

 di/x.v, and according to the most varied rhythms, how can we 

 appreciate and deserve, faithfully all these actions? It would 

 be as e.isy u task, after looking ut the fingers of a pianist 



