MANNER IN WHICH A HORSE TAKES OFF. 



143 



as the interval between the supports of the same leading 

 fore leg) will include four periods of suspension. In the 

 gallop of the cat (Figs. 212 to 217), and also in that of the 

 tiger, panther, and cheetah, the leaping form of suspen- 

 sion appears to be the only one present. Unfortunately 

 I have not had an opportunity of observing the paces 

 of other large felines. The Indian black buck and the 

 South African springbok, which are two remarkably fast 

 kinds of antelope, generally begin their gallop by a series 



Fig. 218. 



Fig. 219. 



Ficr. 220. 



Ficr. 221. 



Fig. 222. 

 Gallop of the Heavy Dog. 



of leaps, when suddenly startled. The gallop of the 

 mastiff (which is a comparatively slow dog), depicted by 

 Figs. 218 to 223, resembles that of the horse. We may 

 note that the longer the period of suspension, the 

 faster and more fatiguing, as a rule, will be the gallop. 



Figs. 224 to 228 show photographs of the leap from 

 taking off to landing. 



Manner in wrhich a Horse takes off. — In the 



canter or gallop, the animal makes his preparation when 

 he supports his body on his leading fore leg (Fig. 229), 

 by straightening which (and especially its fetlock 

 joint) he raises his fore-hand. At the same time, he 

 brings one hind leg down (generally that on the same 



