WALKING. 289 



of support is enlarged in a lateral direction, by separa- 

 ting the feet, the standing becomes more firm in this di- 

 rection ; but is less so from behind and before. When 

 one foot is placed in a line before the other, the back- 

 ward and forward support becomes firm, in proportion 

 as the base is extended in these directions; while the 

 right and left foundation is diminished to the breadth of 

 the foot. 



926. The importance of the toes in standing, will be 

 seen, when it is considered that their loss will deprive the 

 base of about one fourth of its length in that direction. 

 In walking, the loss of these parts is a still greater mis- 

 fortune ; the elasticity of the step being thereby so di- 

 minished, as to give the gait the appearance, rather of 

 one who walks on wooden legs, than on sound limbs. 



927. Standing on one Foot. With respect to standing 

 on one foot, it is only necessary to say, that the base of 

 support is reduced to the surface which the foot covers, 

 and therefore that the muscles of the whole limb must be 

 in strong action, in order to keep the body from falling 

 in such a position, which consequently can only be sup- 

 ported for a few minutes. 



WALKING. 



928. In walking, the position of the body should be 

 erect, the head being always kept over the centre of grav- 

 ity. The step should be firm, with the toes turned out, 

 so that the foot at each step will make an angle of about 

 thirty-three degrees on each side of a right line projected 

 forward on the ground through the centre of gravity. If 

 the feet form parallel lines with each other in stepping, 

 the gait is vulgar, and tottering from right to left, the 

 base not being sufficient to give a firm support to the 

 centre of gravity. If the toes be turned outward too 

 much, although the lateral sides of the base are thereby 

 extended, yet the movement is awkward and unseemly, 

 especially in ladies, and the step will want that elasticity 

 from the action of the toes, which give lightness and 

 grace to the gait. TKe foot should be carried forward 

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