ON THE EXTERNAL CONFORMATION. il 

 The shoulders constitute the center of mo- 

 tion in the fore part of the body, and the extent 

 and elasticity of that motion will depend chiefly 

 on the position of the shoulder blades. The 

 connexion of the shoulder blades with the body 

 is established by muscles only, independently 

 of any joint whatever. It is by the alternate 

 contraction and extension of these different mus- 

 cles that motion is produced, and it is by their 

 united elasticity that the shock is broken wheii, 

 in action. 



This would not have been the case, had 

 the shoulder terminated in a fixed joint. The 

 truth of this remark may be ascertained by 

 riding alternately on the withers and the croupe, 

 and comparing the difference of their respective 

 motions. 



As it is the office of the hinder quarters to 

 propel the body forwards, it is necessary that 

 they should be closely united with the body by 



means 



