THE CHEST. 247 



hypertrophy, the larger the heart and the larger tlie lungs, the more rapid 

 the process of nutrition, and the more perfect the discharge of every 

 animal function. 



Then it might be imagined that, as a circle is a figure which contains 

 more than any other of equal girth and admeasurement, a circular form of 

 tlic chest would be most advantageous. Not exactly so ; for the contents 

 of the chest are alternately expanding and contracting. The circular 

 chest could not expand, but every change of form would be a diminution 

 of capacity. 



That form of chest which approaches nearest to a circle, while it admits 

 of suthcient expansion and contraction, is the best — certainly for some 

 animals, and for all under peculiar circumstances, and with reference to 

 the discharge of certain functions. This Avas the grand principle on Avhich 

 ]\Ii'. Bakewell proceeded, and on which all our improvements in the breed- 

 ing of cattle were founded. 



The principle holds good with regard to some breeds of horses. We 

 value the heavy draught horse not only on account of his simjile muscular 

 power, but the weight which, by means of that power, he is able to throw 

 into the collar. A light horse may be preferable for light draught, but we 

 must oppose weight to weight when our loads are heavy. In the dray- 

 horse we prize the circular chest, not only that he may be proportionally 

 heavier before — to him no disadvantage — but that, by means of the in- 

 creased capacity of his chest, he may obtain the bulk and size which best 

 tit him for our service. But he would not do for speed, he would not 

 do for ordinary quick exertion, and if he were pushed far beyond his pace, 

 he would become broken- winded or have inflamed lungs. 



Some of our saddle-horses and cobs have barrels round enough, and we 

 value them on account of it, for they are always in condition and they 

 rarely tire. But when we look at them more carefully, there is just that 

 departure from the circular form of which mention has been made — that 

 happy medium between the circle and the ellipse which retains the ca- 

 pacity of the one and the expansibility of the other. Such a horse is 

 invaluable for common purposes, but he is seldom a horse of speed. If he 

 is permitted to go his 0"\vn pace, and that not a slow one, he will work on 

 for ever ; but if he is too much hurried he is soon distressed. 



The Broad Deep Chest. — Then for the iisual purposes of the road, and 

 more particularly for rapid progression, search is made for that form of 

 the chest which shall unite, and to as great a degree as possible, con- 

 siderable capacity in a quiescent state, and the power of increasing that 

 capacity when the animal requires it. There must be the broad chest for 

 the production of muscles and sinews, and the deep chest, to give the capacity 

 or power of furnishing arterial blood equal to the most rapid exhaustion of 

 vitality. 



This form of the chest is consistent v^dth lightness, or at least with all 

 the lightness that can be rationally required. The broad-chested horse, or 

 he that, with moderate depth at the girth, swells and barrels out imme- 

 diately behind the elbow, may have as light a forehead and as elevated a 

 wither as the horse with the narrowest chest ; but the animal with the 

 barrel approaching to near to rotundity is invaiiably heavy about the 

 shoulders and low in the -withers. It is to the mixture of the Ai-abian 

 blood that we principally owe this peculiar and advantageous formation of 

 the chest of the horse. The Arab is light ; some would say too much so 

 before ; but immediately behind the arms the barrel almost invariably 

 swells oiit, and leaves plenty of rooiu, and where it is most wanted for the 

 play of the lungs, and at the same tune Avhere the weight does not press so 

 exclusively on the fore legs, and expose the feet to concussion and injury. 



