THE HORSE 



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descended. There are various breeds, each with its own 

 purely artificial distinctions, such as differences in size and 

 colour, and even in shape, but nevertheless possessing 

 every point that marks the true Horse. 



If the reader compare the skeleton of the Horse with that 

 of the elephant or any other animal described in this 

 chapter, he will find that it tells its own story. The 

 expansive chest marks the possession of lungs of great 

 size, and, therefore, it is intended for endurance. Speed is 

 denoted in the length of limb and the bold projections for 



SKELETON OF THE HORSE. 



muscles upon the hind legs ; while the series of curves into 

 which the whole structure can be resolved shows the design 

 of the Creator to make it elastic from the head to the toes. 

 Look along the spine, for example, and you will see that 

 the vertebral processes are directed backwards from the 

 shoulder nearly to the centre of the back. Beginning from 

 the hip-bone the processes are directed forwards, while 

 those in the centre of the back are upright. This is the 

 spot where the rider is best seated to preserve to the fullest 

 extent the elasticity of the structure. 



