ISOLATED EFFECTS OF BEAUTIFUL PROPORTIONS. 411 



But nervous excitation is not constantly distributed throughout 

 the living machine in such a way that its manifestations are in exact 

 equilibrium with the resistance of its machiner}-. Two opposite de- 

 fects, equally prejudicial to the proper action of the motor, result from 

 this, for they both restrict the play of the means at its disposal. 



If it is the blood which predominates over the common element ; 

 if, as it is also said, the animal has too much blood, the effect exceeds 

 the aim ; the physiological excitaliility is too intense, too active ; it 

 becomes impyessionability to a more marked degree, irritabiliti/, or, in 

 other words, an extreme susceptibility, an excessive reaction, some- 

 times dangerous in the presence of even the slightest external impres- 

 sions. " This great nervous excitability," M. Sanson ^ says, '' has 

 none but practical disadvantages, contrary to the opinion entertained 

 by horsemen, who, through their ignorance of physiology, believe too 

 easily that courage can take the place of strength, or that the latter has 

 its source in the nervous system. No doubt, for a short time, the 

 manifestation of this courage is brilliant and may be seductive ; but 

 the brave animal wears himself out with it ; he soon exhausts the 

 true source, poorly sustained, of his strength and wears out his insuffi- 

 cient mechanism. It would be better for a useful employment of his 

 power, for an economical utilization of the capital which he represents, 

 that he should be saving of both, — be less courageous, and render less 

 brilliant but more lasting services. 



" Among horses descended directly or indirectly from race-stallions 

 of thoroughbred blood, there are by far too many subjects of which it 

 is said that the activity of the nervous system is too great for that of 

 the body." 



Vallon adds ^ that " in such a case the forms are angular ; the 

 members long and slender ; the articulations narrow ; the muscles 

 well separated from each other, but sparingly developed ; the tendons 

 dense but of little volume ; the horn dry and brittle ; the skin deli- 

 cate ; the ribs flat ; the head expressive, etc. AMien coming out of the 

 stable the horse performs disorderly movements, jumps, skips, is all 

 excitement. In the drill and in the jjarade he tries to pass his neigh- 

 bors. He is of a delicate disposition, requires choice food, water of 

 good quality, etc. For all these reasons the horse becomes quickly 

 tired, exhausted. Often, after a day's march, where he has toiled 

 a great deal, he is quite broken down, and should he be needed 

 he can be of no use. After a day's work some of these animals lie 



» A. Sanson, Traits de zootechnie, 2e ed., t. iii. p. 197. 

 2 Vallon, (^ours d'hippologie, t. i. p. 457. 



