WALKING. 281 



ting the feet, the standing becomes more firm in this di- 

 rection ; but is less so from behind, and before. When 

 one foot is placed in a line before the other, the back- 

 ward and forward support becomes firm, in proportion 

 as the base is extended in these directions ; while the 

 right and left foundation is diminished to the breadth of 

 the foot. 



The importance of the toes in standing, will be seen, 

 when it is considered that their loss will deprive the base 

 of about one fourth of its length in that direction. In 

 walking, the loss of these parts is a still greater misfor- 

 tune ; the elasticity of the step being thereby so dimin- 

 ished, as to give the gait the appearance, rather of one 

 who walks on wooden legs, than on sound limbs. 



Standing on one Foot. With respect to standing on 

 one foot, it is only necessary to say, that the base of sup- 

 port is reduced to the surface which the foot covers, and 

 therefore that the muscles of the whole limb must be in 

 strong action, in order to keep the body from falling in 

 such a position, which consequently can only be support- 

 ed for a few minutes. 



WALKING. 



In walking, the position of the body should be erect, 

 the head being always kept over the centre of gravity. 

 The step should be firm, with the toes turned out, so that 

 the foot at each step, will make an angle of about 33 de- 

 grees on each side of a right line projected forwards on 

 the ground through the centre of gravity. If the feet form 

 parallel lines with each other in stepping, the gait is vul- 

 gar, and tottering from right to left, the base not being 

 sufficient to give a firm support to the centre of gravity. 

 If the toes be turned outwards too much, although the 

 lateral sides of the base are thereby extended, yet the 

 movement is awkward, and unseemly, especially in la- 

 dies, and the step will want that elasticity from the ac- 

 tion of the toes, which gives lightness and grace to the 

 gait. The foot should be carried forward with the toes 

 raised sufficiently to avoid impediments, but no higher, 

 24* 



