452 APPENDIX. 



This configuration has always been recognized as a mark 

 of speed, and many of our best race horses have exhibited 

 this formation. There have been exceptions as was 

 instanced by Don John, a horse of the greatest speed and 

 endurance, and while I would have no objections to 

 greater length in the metatarsal bones, a majority would 

 prefer a horse to be " well let down in the hocks " after 

 the fashion of Boston and Dexter. Both of these horses 

 were comparatively long in the posterior measurement 

 occasioned by the great length of os calcis; and the angles 

 of the propelling limb are such as a good judge would 

 pronounce to be proper for the fulfillment of the duties 

 required of them, moving in a way that would be the 

 least exhaustive of the power furnished by the muscles. 



The measurement around the stifle is tremendous, and 

 it was only after several readjustments of the tape that I 

 could be satisfied we had got it correctly. Larger than 

 all except the great horse Leviathan, and then only lack- 

 ing a quarter of an inch, where the other was seven inches 

 longer in body, is certainly very remarkable. The volume 

 of muscles covering the framework, is the reason for this 

 large girth, and the merest tyro in equine anatomy will 

 readily see the effects of having such a magazine of power 

 to propel the body along. 



The lower thigh is larger than usual, and though not 

 equaling Leviathan or Eclipse, yet being the same as 

 Doubloon, a horse that was more than ordinarily power- 

 ful, shows that it is in harmony with the muscles located 

 at a higher point. The circumference of the barrel is 

 about in relative proportion with the others, taking the 

 girth of the chest and flank as criteria to be guided by. 

 This gives the wedge-like form, the very best configura- 

 tion for speed and lastingness. " From point to point of 

 shoulder" the distance is shorter than Lecomte, and to 

 those familiar with both these horses the aid of a tape 



