384 POINTS. 



to be indicative of dorsal debility. Animals of such a formation, how- 

 ever, commonly are possessed of high crests, of full loins, as well as 

 lofty haunches, and they generally exhibit very proud action. 



The late William Percivall, Esq., in his valuable work upon the action 

 of the horse, alludes to a creature which displayed this peculiar forma- 

 tion, and nevertheless was an excellent hunter. Many readers will 

 remember that the once fashionable Lord Petersham used to drive a 

 quadruped of this description about London. His lordship's cabriolet 

 could never stop, but a crowd of admirers immediately gathered about 

 it. Animals thus shaped, notwithstanding the opinions of horsemen, 

 are always highly regarded by the populace, and always afford a very 

 elastic seat for the rider. Judging from inquiry, and guided by the re- 

 ports of experience, the author — although such a make does not warrant 

 an idea of any excessive strength — yet inclines to think that the decision 

 which condemns it as symptomatic of extraordinary debility, needs further 

 confirmation before it should be universally accepted. 



Animals with hollow backs are usually conspicuous, even among the 

 equine race, for many estimable qualities. They are generally very 

 docile, and uncommonly good tempered. Putting the undue sinking of 

 the spine out of the question, they display numerous excellent points; 

 and, even admitting all that may be said about weakness, they exhibit 

 such prominent good qualities as in many occupations may be justly 

 esteemed more than an equivalent for their bodily deficiency, — especially 

 when employed to carry a lady's saddle. 



The very reverse of all that has been recorded above usually char- 

 acterizes the "roach back." The author has hitherto found creatures 

 thus made, distinguished for the absence of that power with which pre- 

 judice is inclined to invest them. Such animals are to be seen feeding 

 upon the commons about Essex, being the pictures of checked develop- 

 ment and the representatives of heartless neglect. The offsprings of 

 aged dams or colts that have been forced to submit to early labor, every 

 feature testifies to the abuse which they have undergone. Quadrupeds 

 equally misshapen and equally neglected may frequently be seen drag- 

 ging agricultural carts through the streets of London. 



Such deformities are usually vicious and spiteful. They are capable 

 of little exertion, and offer a seat of torture to the individual who is so 

 unfortunate as to be mounted upon a roach back. Some years ago, the 

 author chanced to dissect the body of a quadruped of this description. 

 Death had not affected the upward protrusion of the spine, which re- 

 tained its peculiar curve. The loins were very poor, and several of the 

 lumbar bones were joined together by abnormal osseous deposit. The 

 quarters were mean, the belly large, the withers low, the neck ewe- 



