WALKING. 87 



Walking. In walking, the body never entirely quits 

 the ground, the heel of the advanced foot reaching this 

 before the toe of the rear foot has been raised from it. In 

 each step the advanced leg supports the body, and the 

 foot behind at the beginning of the step propels it. 



A little attention will enable any one to analyze the 

 act of walking for himself. Stand with the heels to- 

 gether and take a step, commencing with the left foot. The 

 whole body is at first inclined forwards, the movement 

 taking place mainly at the ankle joints. This throws the 

 centre of gravity in front of the base formed by the 

 feet, and a fall would result were not the left foot simul- 

 taneously raised by bending the knee a little, and swung 

 forwards, the toes just clear of the ground and the sole 

 nearly parallel to it. When the step is completed the left 

 knee is straightened and the foot placed on the ground, 

 the heel touching first ; the base is thus extended in the 

 direction of the stride and the fall prevented. Meanwhile 

 the right leg is kept straight but inclined forwards, carry- 

 ing the trunk during the step while the left foot is off the 

 ground ; at the same time the right foot is raised, com- 

 mencing with the heel ; when the step of the left leg is 

 completed only the great toe of the right is in contact 

 with the support. With this toe a push is given which 

 sends the body swinging forward, supported on the left 

 leg, which now in turn is kept rigid except at the ankle 

 joint ; the right knee is immediately afterwards bent and 

 that leg swings forwards, its foot just clear of the ground, 

 as the left did before. The body meanwhile is supported 



Is the body ever off the ground iu walking? Describe the a,ct of 

 walking. 



