POINTS FROM WHICH THE PROPORTIONS ARE STUDIED. 385 



find this in well-formed race-horses. In our opinion this difference 

 results only from a smaller coxo-femoral angle in the latter. 



A proper opening of the superior angles being once determined^ 

 nothing remains to be done but to ascertain the perfect regularity of 

 the equilibrium, in order to judge of the inferior angles. And, sure 

 enough, if the inclination of the shoulder be good, it is evident that the 

 humero-radial joint will be found in advantageous conditions, provided 

 the forearm be almost vertical, and the fetlock-joint and the foot be 

 well placed in relation with the vertical line. 



Likewise, the position of the croup being ascertained to be right, it 

 is evident that the direction of the leg will become correct also, from 

 this fact alone, that the hock will occupy its normal position with 

 respect to the plumb-line which is tangent to it. 



The correct opening of the superior angles of the members, there- 

 fore, commands that of the inferior, on condition that the locomotory 

 columns be regularly disposed for the support of the body, and that 

 the osseous segments have maintained their proper length. 



C. General Relations of the Ensemble, the Whole Organism. 



The word ensemble, when not employed as synonymous with regu- 

 larity, harmony, beautiful proportions, signifies the totality of the animal 

 machine acting as one generator of force or speed, irrespective of the 

 parts which compose it. 



It is by restriction, and incorrectly, that the large divisions, lines, 

 or dimensions of the whole are called ensembles; we will therefore 

 seldom use this latter expression, which seems to refer rather to the 

 details, while its true acceptation gives it a much more general sense. 



Several horsemen criticise and take pleasure in ridiculing the ingen- 

 uous comparison which has been formed between the horse and an 

 ordinary machine ; it is to be regretted that they have neither felt nor 

 understood analogies in which they no doubt would have found the 

 solution of more than one difficult problem. 



From a didactic point of view it is, indeed, convenient and allow- 

 able to compare the horse to a vehicle, for the reason that it is always 

 more simple to make an examination upon a scheme than upon the 

 thing itself, especially, when the latter is complicated. Whatever may 

 be the essence, nature, and position of the motor relatively to the 

 vehicle, the latter, to fulfil effectually the end to which it is destined, 

 should comply with certain conditions of 'height, length, and width, 

 maintain certain relations between what we may be allowed to call its 



25 



