48 ,THE MENDEL JOURNAL 



that, prior to the year 1899, races exceeding six or 

 seven furlongs in length were rarely run at a true 

 pace ; consequently they were not infrequently won 

 by horses running beyond their proper distance. In 

 the early part of the contest the competitors were not 

 'called upon to do serious work. But the advent of 

 Sloan and other American jockeys revolutionised the 

 methods of race riding in this country, and from 1899 

 races have been run at a true pace. The crouching 

 position of the latter-day jockey is partly responsible 

 for the difference in times shown in Table II. ; but, 

 as practically all horses have been ridden alike during 

 the last ten years, it is unnecessary to refer further 

 to the jockey's seat in relation to bio-mechanics. 



The Essential Qualities of a " Stayer." 



It has frequently been asserted that the physio- 

 logical properties of muscle are largely, though not 

 wholly, acquired characters, being dependent on 

 nurture and use. Whilst this contention in a qualified 

 sense is true, it does not apply to the subject under 

 discussion. Racehorses are skilfully trained, and no 

 stone is left unturned to bring them to their best. 

 Environmental conditions are, in almost all cases, 

 equally favourable ; but nevertheless, it has been 

 demonstrated times without number that a horse 

 has his course, and, notwithstanding the most careful 

 management and scientific training, he cannot stay 

 beyond it. Training and racing merely bring out 

 the full potentiality of inherited characters ; but 

 whether a horse is able to win over a long or short 



