THE IMPROVED ART f)K FARRIERY. 583 



less it is proportionably broad. The external indica- 

 tions of the size of the lungs are the form and size of 

 the chest, the form of which should approacli to the 

 figure of a cone, having its apex situated between the 

 shoulders, and its base towards the ioins.' — Cline on 

 the Form of Animals. 



" Such a form of chest is essential to the racer, and 

 was found in his primogenitors. Its advantages are, 

 first, that it receives the volume of digestive organs 

 somewhat displaced by the powerful action of the ab- 

 dominal muscles in training. Lodged here, the diges- 

 tive functions can be carried on to the proper nourish- 

 ment of the animal. Secondly, by this form the lungs, 

 which are of the first importance to the racer, can 

 expand to meet his exigencies. * It is on their size 

 and soundness thet the strength and health of an 

 animal principally, depends. The power of converting 

 food into nourishment is in proportion to their size. 

 An animal with large lungs is capable of converting a 

 given quantity of food into more nourishment than 

 one with smaller ones.' — lb. 



** We must not, however, hold the operation of the 

 fore extremities too cheaply ; nor be inattentive to the 

 necessity of perfection in their form. The principal 

 weight of the machine is borne by them ; they sustain 

 the head, neck, and trunk ; and they not only stand 

 as opponents to the inordinate power of the hinder ex- 

 tremities, but they also take a portion, though a limited 

 one, of the progressive movements ; for they draw the 

 hinder extremities forwards at the moment when these 

 latter have expended their force, by flexion and ex- 

 tension, and thus place them in a situation for new 

 action. If it is not of consequence to the racer that 

 the general fore-hand be equally high with the hinder 

 parts, it is however so, that the shoulder be deep and 



