466 



NATURE 



\March 20, 1879 



just described, we shall only find, as I have before stated, a 

 number of contradictions between writers holding different 

 views. In the most rapid pace, the gallop, that of three steps, 



Fig. 14. — Trotting horse represented at the moment of diagonal support. 



for example (Fig. 11), the first step is with the hind-foot, 

 upon which the horse falls back after it has raised itself 



The gallop of three steps may be distinguished in two 

 forms ; the right-hand gallop, in which the right-hand 



Fig. 17.— Foot pace," with effort of traction. 



hind foot reaches the ground last ; the left-hand gallop, 

 in which the left fore-foot is the last to reach the ground. 



Fig. 15.— Trotting horse at the moment of suspension. 



from the ground ; then the other hind-foot and fore-foot 

 which is associated with it diagonally fall together, and 



Fig. i3. — Foot pace, moment of diagonal support. 



Do we desire to know upon how many feet a horse is 

 supported at different moments of the gallop ? Fig. 1 1 



Fig. 16. — Horse at a gallop or three steps. Moment of the first step. 



form the second step. Lastly, one hears] the other fore- 

 foot fall, and this is the third step. 



Fig. 19. —Foot pace, moment of lateral support. 



responds to this question also. Just as the notation of a 

 piece of music shows how many fingers rest at once upon 



