MATURITY. 13 
to be of perfect symmetry. Two of these were celebrated stallions, two 
thoroughbred hunters, and two chargers of great value. 
inches, inches: 
Height at withers and croup. . . 63 From the withers to thehip. . . 22 
Length from Leen to From the stifle to the point of the 
quarter . . 66 hock, in the attitude shown in 
From the levrest part a chest re the plan. Z 28 
the ground. . 3 From the root of tail to stifle- joint 26 
From the elbow- point to the ¢ gr ound 39 From the ae of the hock to the 
From the withers to the pole, just ground . 223 
behind the ears, in a@ straight line 30 Length of arm from the ‘elbow to 
The same measured along the crest 32 the pisiform-bone. . .. 19% 
Length of head . . 2 of AY From the pisiform-bone to ‘the 
Width across the forehead . . . 94 BOOM Gg 6 o bo 6 6 a 5 LOR 
Girth varies from 76 to 79. 
Circumference of fore cannon-bone, 73, 8, 8, 8, 83, and 9 inches, 
Circumference of arm just below the elbow, 163 to 18 inches. 
On comparing these measurements with those of Eclipse, as recorded 
by St. Bel, it will appear that there is some considerable variation 
from those of that celebrated horse, which he is said to have measured 
during life, and to have also checked his dimensions after death. Thus, 
though Eclipse was very low before, and yet was sixty-six inches high, 
his head was twenty-two inches long, being the same as the average length 
of the six horses given by myself, though they are three inches lower at 
the withers, and at least five inches lower at the croup. Again, though 
thus shown to be particularly short, it must have been of extraordinary 
width ; for, according to the same authority, it measured one foot across 
below the eyes ; but, as Mr. Percivall remarks, this must be a mistake 
for above the eyes. Indeed, I cannot help thinking, in accordance with the 
opinions of the above distinguished English veterinarian, that in other 
respects “there appears some discordance in his admeasurements” of 
Eclipse. Nevertheless, it may safely be assumed, according to Mr. 
Percivall’s summing up, that “he was a big horse in every sense of the 
word ; he was tall in stature, lengthy and capacious in body, and large in 
his limbs. For a big horse his head was small, and partook of the Arabian 
character.- His neck was unusually long. His shoulder was strong, suffi- 
ciently oblique, and though not remarkable for, not deficient in, depth. 
His chest was circular. He rose very little in his withers, being higher 
behind than before. His back.was lengthy, and over the loins roached. 
His quarters were straight, square, and extended. His limbs were lengthy 
and broad, and his joints large, in particular his arms and thighs were 
long and muscular, and his knees and hocks broad and well formed.” 
The scale which I have given likewise differs in many particulars, 
though only slightly, from that which is usually found in treatises on the 
horse ; but I have preferred trusting to Nature herself rather than to the 
observations of previous writers, which may he consulted by the reader at 
any time. 
MATURITY. 
THE HORSE COMPLETES HIS DENTITION at five years old, when he may be 
said to be mature. At eight or nine years the lower teeth lose their 
marks, or black concavities, “after which there is no reliable evidence of 
age, which can however be tolerably accurately guessed at from the length 
of the front teeth or nippers, and from the general appearance of the 
horse, especially about the eyes, as will be hereafter shown. 
