LOCOMOTION AND ITS ORGANS. 323 



^V 



of progression J While the able pedestrian is independent 

 of stage coaclies and hired horses, he alone fully enjoys the 

 scenes through which he passes, and is free to dispose of his 

 time as he pleases. To counteract these advantages, greater 

 fatigue is doubtless attendant on walking ; but this fatigue 

 is really the result of previous inactivity ; for daily exercise, 

 gradually increased by rendering walking more easy and 

 agreeable, and inducing its more frequent practice, dimi- 

 nishes fatigue in such a degree, that very great distances 

 may be accomplished with pleasure, instead of painful exer- 

 tion. 



17. The power of walking great distances, without fa- 

 tigue is unfortunately in this country a rare accomplish- 

 ment. A good walker will do six miles an hour, for one hour, 

 on a good road. If in good training, he may do twelve 

 miles in two hours. Eighteen miles in three hours have 

 been achieved, though rarely. At the rate of five miles an 

 hour, pedestrians of the first class will do forty miles in 

 eight hourgjjtnd perhaps fifty in ten. Captain Barclay 

 walked 180 miles without resting ; and also 1000 miles in 

 1000 successive hours. 



18. {in the act of leaping, the whole body is raised from 

 the ground, and for a short time suspended in the air. It is 

 performed by bending the head upon the body, the body on 

 the thighs, these on the legs, and the legs on the feet. The 

 feet do not stand firmly on the ground, as in walking, but 

 the heel is raised, or perhaps slightly touches the ground. 

 The muscles are all in a state of flexion) They are sudden- 

 ly contracted at the same instant ; the consequence is, that 

 the feet are raised from the ground and carried forward, and 

 the body with them, until it is brought to the earth by the 

 force of gravitation!) (The distance passed over, is in pro- 

 portion to the power and suddenness with which the muscles 

 contract.^ 



19. The muscles which form the calf of the leg, act with 

 the greatest powef in leaping, tas they have to raise the whole 



