230 



THE TRUNK. 



in capacity of the chest, when empty, to what it would be 

 when full of air, and consequently, the better the breathing 

 power ; but I do not think that it is possible to estimate 

 this inclination with sufficient accuracy to make it a 

 practical guide. Experience leads me to conclude that 

 all useful purposes in this respect will be served, by satis- 

 fying ourselves whether or not the horse under examination 

 is " well ribbed up." If the last rib be short, flat, and 

 but little inclined to the rear, the animal will be " slack 



i^' J 



c 



Fig- 315- Fig- 316. Fig. 317. 



Diagrams Showing Different Degrees of Expansion of Chest. 



in the loins," and certainly will not have as good breath- 

 ing power as he w^ould have had, if that rib was 

 long, " springing " w'ell out from the side, and inclined so 

 much to the rear, that there would be space only for the 

 ends of two or three fingers between it and the point of 

 the hip. Such a desirable shape would give the utmost 

 width of base to the diaphragm, which is a very important 

 muscle of breathing. Although, in this connection, I 

 mention only the last rib, I take for granted that its neigh- 

 bouring ribs would conform, more or less, to its length, 

 shape and inclination to the rear. As a rule, the shorter 



