CENTRE OF GRAVITY. 7 



The two planks being exactly upon the same level, and belonging to weighing-machines of the 

 same proportion, could therefore be taken for two ^cales of an ordinary balance. We equipped 

 a saddle-mare regularly formed, although the head and neck were stronger than the remainder 

 of the body. She was bridled and saddled. 



" The scales being abandoned to the weight of the mare held in a complete state of immo- 

 bility, the head being in its ordinary position, rather low than high, gave us the following results : 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 



210k. 174k. 384k. 36k. 



" A fluctuation of from 3 to 5 kilogrammes was established, which settled alternately upon the 

 fore and hind extremities, on account of the movements produced by the organs of respiration. 



" We lowered the head so that the end of the nose reached the level of the chest. This 

 movement effected and the immobility obtained in this position, the fore extremity increased 8 

 kilogrammes, of which the hind was relieved. 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 

 218k. 166k. 384k. 52k. 



" The head being raised until the end of the nose was on a level with the height of the 

 withers, the same precautions for immobility being observed, the fore extremity displaced 10 

 kilogrammes of its weight upon the hind and then balanced itself, with the following results : 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 



200k. 184k. 384k. 16k. 



" The head, being returned to its former position, was drawn back upon the neck and ele- 

 vated somewhat by the action of the bridle. Ten kilogrammes were then displaced backward 

 as follows : 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 

 202k. 182k. 384k. 29k. 



These results evidently prove that the more the head is raised, if not natu- 

 rally, at least by the action of the hand, the more its weight and that of the neck 

 are equally distributed upon the extremities, if the position be not forced. 



" After these experiments M. Baucher mounted the mare, and the two scales poised with 

 the following weights : 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 

 251k. 197k. 448k. 54k. 



" The rider placed in an academic position, his weight of 64 kilogrammes was distributed as 

 follows : 41 kilogrammes upon the anterior members and 23 upon the posterior. 



" Being seated in such a manner that the upper part of the body leaned backward, M. 

 Baucher displaced 10 kilogrammes upon the hind extremity. Then drawing the horse's head 

 backward according to his method, he again charged the same with a weight of 8 kilogrammes : 

 total, 18 kilogrammes. In this position we obtain : 



Fore Extremity. Hind Extremity. Total Weight. Difference. 

 233k. 215k. 448k. 18k. 



" By bearing entirely upon the stirrups, the weight on the anterior members increased 12 

 kilogrammes. 



" Afterwards we placed a gray horse of a vicious disposition upon the scales, which, with 

 differences already well indicated in construction, furnished us with analogous results." 



