PHYSICAL CONFORMATION". 65 



spring the knees backward, from strain of action in propelling the 

 body, or in drawing a load; also that the reverse will take place — that 

 is, the horse whose knee is relatively very high, will incline, from use 

 or service, to grow knee-sprung or bow-legged. The calf-kneed or 

 long forearm family will not lift the foot high, or bend the knees 

 much, but will reach the feet far out; while those with the high knees 

 and short forearm will lift the knees high, bend them much, but not 

 reach over much ground. They will also strike the ground with great 

 violence. 



At Mr. Bonner's place, he had three sisters of Dexter, respectively 

 two, three and four years old. The one that was. three years old — I 

 think it is — differs from the other two in this respect, her cannon-bone 

 being from one-fourth to one-half inch shorter, and her forearm a like 

 proportion longer, than the others. On inspecting her in the presence 

 of Mr. Bonner, I expressed the opinion that she ought to reach out 

 well, when the man in charge promptly said she was the "best reacher'* 

 on the place. 



My own mare, Abby Bacchante, affords the best illustration I know 

 of. Her forearm is twenty-two inches in length, and her cannon-bone 

 only eleven inches — one of the shortest of cannons and the longest 

 forearm, except one, I have found. She trots with a leg almost 

 straight, Ijut far-reaching, having much of the pointing or digging 

 motion so often seen in the Volunteers and Almonts. Her legs are 

 as good as could be asked in other respects, but her dam is noted as a, 

 calf-kneed mare. Abby is a grey. Her sire was Lakeland Abdallah, 

 a bay. Her dam was a grey, by Mambrino Chief, a bay. Her second 

 dam was Grey Bacchante by Downing's Bay Messenger, a bay; and 

 her third dam was by a bay horse. Now whence comes this inveterate 

 grey? Her fourth dam was by Grey Messenger. I give his pedigree 

 as it appeared and was recorded in Kentucky, including the full pedi- 

 gree of Abby Bacchante: 



Abby Bacchante, grey mare, foaled 1870, by Lakeland Abdallah 

 (he by Hambletonian, his dam by Abdallah); first dam Bacchante 

 Mambrino, by Mambrino Chief; second dam Grey Bacchante, by 

 Downing's Bay Messenger; third dam by Whip Comet, a thorough- 

 bred; fourth dam by Grey Messenger. Grey Messenger was by Dove; 

 first dam by Sir Solomon; second dam by Sanspareil; third dam by 

 imported Messenger. Dove was by All Fours, alias Saratoga, and he 

 by imported Messenger; first dam by imported Expedition; second 

 dam by imported Messenger. Grey Messenger was bred in New Jer- 

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