42 ZOOPRAXOORAPHT 



which animals, like the dog, can for a time excel the 

 horse in speed. 



A search through all the dictionaries published at 

 the time of writing, and accessible to the Author, fails 

 to discover a correct definition of "the gallop." This 

 motion is in America frequently miscalled the " run," 

 and its execution "running," but no corresponding 

 explanation of the word is given by any lexicographer. 



In Scott's "Lady of the Lake" occurs "Then 

 faint afar are heard the feet of rushing steeds in gallop 

 fleet," many other distinguished Authors refer to 

 the same action by the same name, by which, or its 

 equivalents, it is universally known in Europe. 



THE LEAP. 



There is little essential difference in freneral char- 

 acteristics of either of the several movements that have 

 been described, but with a number of experiments 

 made with horses while leaping, no two were found to 

 agree in the manner of execution. The leap of the 

 same horse at the same rate of speed, with the same 

 rider, over the same hurdle, disclosed much variation 

 in the rise, clearance, and descent of the animal. A 

 few phases were, however, invariable. While the 

 horse was raising his body to clear the hurdle, one 

 hind foot was always in advance of the other, which ex- 

 ercised its last energy alone. 



On the descent, the concussion was always first 

 received by one fore foot, followed more or less rap- 

 idly by the other, sometimes as much as 30 inches in 

 advance of where the first one struck; the hind feet 

 were also landed with intervals of time and distance. 



