CJIAPTER III. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GOODENOITGH SHOE. 



li^ROM the representation of the slioe 

 -*- in the cut, its peculiar conformation 

 will be observed, and the reason for these 

 chano-es from the common form we shall en- 

 deavor to explain as clearly as possible. In 

 the first place, it is very light, scarcely 

 half the weisrht of the averasje old-fashioned 

 shoe. The foot surface is rolled with a true 

 bevel, making that portion of the web which 

 receives the bearing of the hoof, the width 

 of the thickness of the wall or crust. This 

 prevents pressure upon the sole, and makes 

 the shoe a continuation of the wall of the 

 foot. The ground surface of the shoe has 

 also a true bevel, following the natural slope 

 of the sole, and bringing the inner part of the 

 shoe to a thin edge. The outer portion is 

 thus a thick ridge, dentated, or cut out into 

 cogs or calks, allowing the nail-heads to be 

 countersunk. This arrangement gives five 

 2 17 



