POINTS FROM WHICH THE PROPORTIONS ARE STUDIED. 361 



3d. From the inferior part of the knee to the coronet, TT. 

 4th. From the base of the hock to the fetlock, VU . 



5th. Finally, from the point of the arm to the articulation of the elbow (approximate length 

 of the arm)." 



The proportions of the head are also of great importance to artists, 

 who, in this respect, depend entirely too much upon the inspiration of 

 the moment. We always borrow from M. Duhousset — whose graphic 

 precepts appear to us to be the nearest to the real form — the indications 

 which he recorded in an unpublished work upon this subject ; we will 

 add to them, in passing, our personal researches. 



" Although it is very difficult," says he, " when we speak of meas- 

 urements taken upon the living horse, to form anything but approxima- 

 tions, still we think we are very near the truth when we give the follow- 

 ing results which proceed from our numerous observations. The head 

 which we present is that of a horse which is frequently .seen as a 

 medium between the pleasure-horse and the draught-horse." In this 

 respect, it will not be uninteresting to accompany with figures the two 

 drawings upon which are found the measurements we are speaking of: 



HEAD VIEWED IN PROFILE (fIG. 128). 



Length, .4S, from the poll to the end of the lips 0.60 m. 



Thickness, CD, from the angle of the lower jaw to the anterior face (half a 



head) 0.30 m. 



This line pa.sses through the middle of the eye and is taken perpendicu- 

 larly to the profile of the anterior face. It is seen in many common 

 horses, especially in the heavy-draught horses; in finer subjects it is a 

 little shorter (G. and B.). 



Width, IH, of the neck in its narrowest part (half a head) 0.30 m. 



It is frequently greater, which is noticed whenever the superior attachments 



of the neck are wanting in neatness of outline. This is seen in lymphatic 



and draught-horses, and in those which are excessively corpulent (G. and B.). 



Distance, OR, from the internal angle of the eye to the superior commissure 



of the nostril (G. and B.) (half a head) 0.30 m. 



It is greater in the common head and in one which is too long. 



Distance, AO, from the poll to the internal angle of the eye 0.22 m. 



This distance is equal to the thickness of the head (PQ), taken perpendicu- 

 larly to the profile of the anterior face, and passing the level of the maxil- 

 lary fissure and the maxillary spine. 

 Again, it is equal to QO, from the internal angle of the eye to the maxillary 

 fissure ; and to PO, from the middle of the face to the commissure of the 

 lips (G. and B.). 

 The distance, PE, from the middle of the face to the maxillary spine is about 



one-sixth of the total length of the head 0.10 m. 



The line BE, considered from the end of the lips to the maxillary spine is equal: 



To EF, from the maxillary spine to the external auditory hiatus, visible only upon the 



skull. 

 To HG, from the insertion of the throat into the intermaxillary space to the commis- 

 sure of the lips (G. and B.). 

 To Q-ff, from the maxillary fissure to the superior commissure of the nostril (G. and B.). 

 To QB, from the maxillary fissure to the end of the lips (G. and B.). 

 To OD, from the internal angle of the eye to the curved portion of the border of the 



lower jaw, provided the line CD be in proportion (G. and B.). 

 Finally, very often to OH, from the internal angle of the eye to the insertion of the 

 throat into the intermaxillary space (G. and B.). 



