ILLUSTRATIVE SPECIMENS. 23 



about the shape of the hock, — i.e. whether it be ( sickle- 

 shaped,' as it is commonly termed, or ' straight ' ; but 

 I think the greatest number of wearing powerful hocks 

 that have come under my notice are rather straight 

 than otherwise. Perhaps the most remarkable instance 

 of this formation known to the public was ( Cassio,' a 

 celebrated hunter which was knocked down for 640 

 guineas, to Mr. Joseph Anderson, at the Wynnstay 

 sale in 1858. There was also a similar peculiarity in 

 The Huntsman's hocks — that wonderful weight-carry- 

 ing steeplechase horse by Tupsley ; most of the Hark- 

 away's have it to a very remarkable degree, and very 

 wearing and* good they are in this point as a general 

 rule. 



I have now gone through briefly the formation of 

 the horse connected with the muscular action as deter- 

 mined by anatomy, and when practicable, illustrated 

 by living specimens, that the force of my theories may 

 be more easily comprehended. I must here, however, 

 state that my conclusions are, that although horses 

 may run well, follow hounds well, and perform other 

 offices satisfactorily, though not shaped in accordance 

 with my theories, I am convinced that horses so shaped 

 seldom belie their looks. 



I know of few instances where it has been in the 

 power of any one man to test the superiority of certain 

 formations in the racehorse ; but this fell to the lot of 

 one man well worthy of the opportunity. I allude to 

 ' Lord George Bentinck,' that Prince of the Turf, who 



