* 

 POINTS FROM WHICH THE PROPORTIONS ARE STUDIED. 393 



Suppose, for a moment, that a well-formed horse be made taller 

 without changing, in any respect, the relations existing between his 

 different regions ; in other words, let us vary only his height without 

 modifying the relations previously existing between the body and the 

 members. As Bourgelat has expressed it, we shall have determined a 

 defect of proportion comparable to that which is observed when the 

 animal is too short. The centre of gravity will have bee~n raised 

 without the base of support being enlarged ; the trunk will have 

 acquired greater weight without the columns of support becoming 

 stronger; finally, the members will have become longer without 

 increasing the speed, since the posterior members will not be able to 

 move freely under the body without the risk of striking the anterior. 

 We will have before us a locomotor unstable in its equilibrium, feeble 

 in its parts, made taller so that he might go faster, but prevented from 

 doing so by the imperfect adjustment of its mechanism. Our horse 

 will be narrow, tall, liable to fall, to forge, to interfere, without power 

 or speed, a true string, according to the vulgar expression. 



The results will not be better if we attempt the contrary experi- 

 ment, that is to say, if we diminish the height while allowing the 

 other parts to remain in the condition in which they were previously. 

 In such a case, the defect will be the same as if the subject were too 

 long. We will have lowered the centre of gravity, rendered the base 

 of support relatively wider, the equilibrium more stable, and the 

 members shorter. These will not in any way be disturbed in their 

 action, or liable to meet each other; but their movements will be 

 wanting in extent and also in power. The motor will appear heavy, 

 massive, and slow; he will not be able to display any speed with his 

 shortened members, save by multiplying their movements, and that, be 

 it well understood, to the prejudice of the muscular apparatus which 

 moves them and the nervous system which commands their displace- 

 ments. 



Identical conclusions would be reached if, instead of varying the 

 height, we changed the normal relations of length in relation to the 

 height. 



The excess of length, for example, would produce the same effect 

 as if the body were too close to the ground. To this, however, would 

 be superadded the complication that the vertebral column, being longer 

 and more movable, would become feeble, vacillating, predisposed to 

 become sway-backed, and more fatiguing to support. The subject 

 would be unfit for the saddle, his movements would lose their precision ; 

 he would go cross-ways rather than walk straight. 



