8 



THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



figure, the tij^s of the fingers joinmg (Fig, 3). On the word "two,"" 

 raise the hands, still joined, slowly above and slightly in front of the 

 head, to the full extent of the arms (Fig. 4). " Three," separate the 

 hands, and, tirrning the palms upwards, lower them to the level of 

 the shoulders, the anns fully extended (Fig. 5). Simultaneously 

 with the lowering of the hands the heels should be raised elowly from 

 the ground, so as to bring the weight of the body upon the toes. 

 On the word "four,'' lower the hands gradually to the sides, carry- 

 ing them at the same time well to the rear (Fig. 6). The heels are 



Fig. 5. 



Fig. 6. 



also to be lowered to the ground as the hands are carried backwards.. 

 This exercise shoidd always be done slowly, as its object is the 

 gradual flexing and suppling of the shoulder and elbow joints, and 

 giving mobile action to those of the feet. In using dumb-bells the 

 first practice with them may be identical with the above, the dumb- 

 bells being grasped firmly in the centre. 



Third practice. — On the word "one," close the hands firmly by 

 the sides; "two," raise them up quietly, bending the elbows until 



