206 THE HOMK, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



The feet should be kept about twelve or fourteen inches below the sur- 

 face of the water, as, if they are kept too high, the stroke is apt to drive 

 the upper part of the head and eyes under the water. 



It must always be remarked that it is impossible to arch the spine too 

 much, or to press the head too far between the shoulders. 



SWIMMING ON THE CHEST. 



We now come to swimming on the chest, which is the mode adopted by 

 most persons, and which, together with swimming on the back, will 

 enable the learner to perform almost any aquatic feat. 



In order to begin with confidence, walk into the water until it is almost 

 as high as the chest, and then turn towards the land, so that every move- 

 ment may cairy you from the deeper to the shallower water. Next place 

 *your hands in front of the chest, the fingers stiff and pressed together, 

 and the thumb held tightly against the forefinger. Do not press the 

 palms together, as too many books enjoin, but hold the hands with the 

 thumbs together, the palms downwards and the backs upwards. 



Now lean gently forward in the water, pushing your hands out before 

 you until the arms are quite straight, and just before your feet leave the 

 bottom give a little push forwards. You will now propel yourself a foot 

 or two towards the land. Try how long you can float, and then gently 

 drop the feet to the ground. Be careful to keep the head well back and 

 the spine arched. 



Repeat this seven or eight times, until you have gained confidence that 

 the water will support you for a few seconds. 



The accompanying illustration shows the proper attitude. 



Now go back to the spot whence you started, and try to make a stroke. 

 Lay yourself on the water as before, but when the feet leave the bottom 

 draw them up close to the body, and then kick them out quickly. When 

 they have reached their full extent, press them together firmly, keeping 

 them quite straight and the toes pointed. 



This movement will drive you onwards for a short distance, and when 

 you feel that you are likely to sink, drop the feet as before. Start again 

 and make another stroke, and so on until the water is too shallow. 



At first you will hardly gain more than an inch or two at each stroke ; 

 but after a little practice you will gain more and more until you can 

 advance three or four feet without putting the legs to the ground. It is 

 a good plan to start always from the same spot, and to try in how few 

 strokes you can reach the land. There is a great interest in having some 



