162 



TIIE REASON WHY : 



Epirus for th Eleati chariot breeds 



(In hopes of palms) a race of running: steeds.&quot; DRYDEN. 



discharges the same office. This is by some persons erroneously associated witfc 

 weakness or disease of the eye. But it is, in fact, a provision of nature to 

 accomplish a certain purpose, and is in no way connected with either health or 

 disease. 



486. Why is the lest form of horse, such as the English racer, 



peculiarly fitted for swift running ? 



Because the mechanism 

 of the frame is based on 

 the most correct geometrical 

 principles, presenting a 

 series of lengthened levers 

 acting by means of a con 

 densed muscular and ten- 

 donous organization of great 

 power, on angles capable of 

 great flexion and extension ; 

 while his pointed form fits 

 him to cleave the atmos 

 phere, from which his deep 



chest enables him to take extensive inspirations to invigorate 



his exertions. 



487. The essential points in the form of a horse differ as much as the uses he is 

 put to vary. That which would approach perfection in one variety would be 

 defective in another. The finest-formed racer that ever bounded over the turf at 

 Newmarket, would cut a sorry figure in a London coal- waggon ; while one of 

 Barclay s splendid specimens of the heavy draught-horse would be even more 

 misplaced if entered for the Derby. To be able to form a tolerably correct 

 estimate of the capability of each variety of the horse to perform the duties required 

 of it, from a view of the general figure, constitutes the very feather in the cap of 

 the horse amateur. But to accomplish it requires much experience, and a long 

 habit of observation, comparison, and reflection.* 



488. Why has the horse a large square jaw under the ear? 



To enable the teeth to bear great pressure, they are socketed 

 very deeply in the jaw ; and as the strength of the muscles of 



* Blaine s &quot; Rural Sports. 



