386 POINTS. 



Neither a long nor a short backed horse is, necessarily, desirable. All 

 depends upon the strength of those muscles which support the spine ; 

 though, all other points being equal, length generally provides a springy 

 seat for the saddle : whereas a short back commonly possesses the greater 

 endurance. A long back, having bulging loins, is, however, infinitely to 

 be preferred to a short back, with deficient lumbar muscles. The mere 

 extent of a part can be no absolute proof in either direction ; though, 

 should a choice lie between two carcasses, supposing each to be equally 

 deficient or both to be equally favored, then the short back should be 

 preferred, because all increase of length necessitates a greater strain upon 

 the organs of support. 



But the spine cannot be too long, supposing length to be accompanied 

 by a proportionate excess of muscle ; for length and strength of course 

 increase speed. The practice, common among the vulgar, of placing the 

 open hand upon the upper part of the abdomen to ascertain the distance 

 of the last rib from the hip-bone, is a silly custom, and can prove nothing 

 but the ignorance of those by whom it is exhibited. A living body 

 should be judged as a whole. One part should be viewed in its relation 

 to another development. No opinion on such a subject ought td be 

 formed upon any solitary test or independent development. 



When considering this portion of the subject, the author may be per- 

 mitted to state, it is a disgrace to the intelligence of the present age that 

 any cart should be built without springs. The weight and the uses of 

 the vehicle are the reasons supposed to necessitate the custom. But 

 reason perceives that the real question is, whether living thews and 

 muscles shall endure the burden, or whether this shall be imposed upon 

 inanimate metal? Reducing the matter to a calculation of pounds, 

 shillings, and pence, — which is the cheaper ? Whick is the more deli- 

 cate? Which is easier to repair, or the less costly to renew? Fact 

 pronounces iron to be the answer to the foregoing questions ; and sense 

 also declares life has no right to be subjected to that unmitigated labor 

 which Providence has provided a means to alleviate. 



The tail is a continuation from the vertebras. Therefore there is 

 reason why a stout dock or a thick root to the tail should be regarded as 

 a sign of excellence ; because the part affords some evidence concerning 

 the stoutness and the muscularity of the spine itself. Or, at all events, 

 such testimony is the nearest approach to positive proof which circum- 

 stances permit reason to obtain. Nevertheless, it allows of nothing 

 stronger than an inference ; but the position of the tail is more decided. 

 It should originate level with the prolonged line of the back, and should 

 look the thing it is, a continuation of the spine ; for, in this position, it 

 necessitates a greater length in the posterior muscles of the haunch, 



