FOR PEACE AND WAR. 181 



fore, being united by a flexible and elastic muscular attachment 

 to the rest of the frame, are inserted into the extremity of the 

 spinal column by connecting bones of large dimensions, and 

 eminently calculated, from their direction, to communicate im- 

 pulse to the whole figure, we find all the conditions requisite for 

 the exertion of progressive energy present in a very high degree. 

 The limb is brought to the ground with all its parts in a high 

 state of contraction, the shank boue forming an angle with the 

 upper leg bone, or tibia, at the hock ; the tibia forming an angle 

 with the thigh bone, or femur, at the stifle joint; and the femur 

 forming again another angle with the haunch boue or ischium, 

 which last abuts directly on the lumbar vertebrce, and is the 

 immediate agent in conveying the impulse of the hind legs to 

 that centre of the system. Here, then, we have a series of no less 

 than three angles, not to speak of the elastic apparatus of the 

 pastern, in the successive opening out of which, by contraction of 

 the limb at every stride, all the muscular energy of the hind 

 quarters is called into play, and thus the foot forming the point 

 of resistance, the body of the animal at every stretch of the 

 hind legs is shot forward with a velocity proportioned to the 

 amount of muscular action exerted in that process of extension. 

 Thus it becomes perfectly clear that the whole propelling power 

 of the horse is situated in, and exercised by, the hiud quarters. 



