LESSON IX. 



HIND EXTREMITIES— CONTINUED. 



The hind extremities are the propellers of the 

 body, and the fore extremities are the weight 

 bearers, roughly speaking. The same general re- 

 marks which were made regarding the fore ex- 

 tremities apply equally to the hind ones. The 

 ilio-ischium representing the scapula, &c. Where 

 we find the bellies of groups of muscles, there we 

 find bulk and rotundity. Those who have an eye 

 for the beauty of curves will find pleasing curved 

 lines in the outlines of a horse in condition. The 

 absence of these beautiful curves is well marked 

 in horses not in condition. For example, stand- 

 ing at the side, but a little behind a hunter in 

 condition (see Fig. 15), we see prominently among 

 other curved lines the most beautiful curves 

 formed by the outhnes of the muscles of the 

 hind-quarters and leg ; indeed to all, whether 

 judges or lovers of horseflesh or not, this pro- 

 fusion of elegant and varying curves set forth on 

 a shining coat, grace of movement and the fire of 

 excess of life, gives a thrill of pleasure which 

 possibly no object in nature can surpass. These 

 beauties are not surpassed by the most perfect 

 female (human) figure, and seeing that in our 



