58 MATERIALS FOR A MEMOIR OX 



off the straight line. The check is secured by the hind foot of 

 the opposed side of the trunk coming on the ground. 



Series 707, Fig. 6, shows to advantage the disposition exhibited 

 by the dog to twist the trunk during progression. This tendency 

 is never seen in the finer varieties of the animal. 



The Act of Kicking. 



In series 658, which exhibits the kick of the horse, Fig. 1 shows 

 the hind foot as not quite extended. When the kick is complete 

 the foot is fully extended, as seen in Fig. 2 of the same series. 



The Position of the Fore Limb as to the Axis of the Trunk. 



An inclination exists for the foot to rest on the ground directly 

 in the middle line of the body ; but the foot is not brought to the 

 ground in this position, but to the opposed side, — that is to say, it 

 crosses the median line, and comes down on the right side of the 

 line if the left foot is considered, and to the left if the right side 

 is considered. Such disposition is seen in the photographs of the 

 dog (series 703, Fig. 2, and series 704, Figs. 5 and 6). The mo- 

 tion described is best seen in the heavy type of animal. It disap- 

 pears in the slender breeds, as the greyhound. The same remark 

 is applicable to the horse, the crossing of the fore legs being seen 

 only in the heavy breeds. 



Tiie foot which comes to the ground at the median line will 

 gradually be drawn to the lateral portion of the trunk, as seen in 

 series 709, Figs. 4 and 5. In this position it leaves the ground: 

 The prop movement must from this circumstance be less efficient 

 towards the end of the vault than it was at the beginning. 



The crossing of the fore legs is admirably well seen in same 



series. 



Depression of the Heel. 



Complete forsvard movement of the limb tends to depress the 

 heel, or, per contra, the forward movement of each extremity 

 tends to draw the toes away from tlie plane on which they are to 

 fall (series 601, trotting-horse). 



Inward Rotation. 

 After the hind leg leaves the ground the limb is disposed to 

 rotate inward, an act well seen in the horse and the elephant 



