The Basset-Hound. 505 



the chest would hang between, and the whole weight 

 of the body would necessarily be centred at the 

 shoulder joint. Consequently the animal would be 

 incapable of any active movement and much 

 exposed to dislocation at that joint ; but as the legs 

 incline inwards and then outwards the weight of the 

 body is supported below the chest, viz., at the 

 carpus, the latter being as it were the keystone on 

 which the entire weight of the body falls. As a 

 result it is at this point we should expect to find 

 trouble if any portion of the architecture was out of 

 position. I have drawn particular attention to the 

 anatomy of the Bassets here, for it is at this joint 

 we discover unsoundness if present, the reason 

 being, as I have previously observed, that the radius 

 and ulna bones are thrown too far forward, and not 

 placed or gathered sufficiently behind the spot 

 where the whole weight of the body converges. 



" To be absolutely sound and perfect in legs, the 

 Basset ought to stand in front between two and 

 three inches from the ground, and in such a manner 

 that if a plummet were dropped from the set on of 

 the neck right through the dog it would touch the 

 ground between the toes, and in front of the carpus. 



" The hind legs are massive, like those in front, 

 and should stand well below the hound to bear the 

 weight of the back portion of his body. They are 



