396 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



the members, reference is made, by the first of these expressions, to the 

 height of the chest and the abdomen, whilst by the second is understood 

 only the part of the members completely detached from the trunk, 

 that is to say, counting from the elbow or stifle. Taking this view, it 

 will be understood how the body is also called the upper part, in rela- 

 tion with the members, which then assume the name the lower part, 

 although these expressions are sometimes employed to designate the 

 lines by which the trunk shows itself in profile above and below. 



The relations existing between the body and the members vary 

 according to the types considered, which, to simplify, we divide into 

 two categories : the motors with a view to speed and the motors with a 

 view to force. In a general way, it must be known, first, that in the 

 former the lower part is always, equal size considered, much longer 

 than in the latter, which are compact and near the earth. In this 

 respect, the differences are all the greater as the services which they 

 perform differ the more from each other. 



The body, containing the organs which are most essential to life, 

 such as the heart, the lungs, and the digestive apparatus, cannot be 

 deficient from excess of development, since these organs are precisely 

 those from which the animal machine draws its power and resistance. 

 If disproportion seems to exist in the upper part compared to the 

 lower part, then the latter is not properly constructed to support the 

 former. But generally, although excess may not be objectionable, the 

 same cannot be said of the deficiency of development. Our machine, 

 having a weak chest, a small abdomen, will be without energy, without 

 wind, capable of very little exertion. Such an animal will be a poor 

 feeder and will not last long. All these are great imperfections if he 

 is called upon to perform laborious service. 



What, then, is the method of appreciating the beauty of the body ? 

 We already know it. In fact, we know that the xiphoid region (pit 

 of the stomach) should descend several fingers'-breadth below the elbow, 

 that the ribs should be round, the chest widened behind and a head 

 wide in its middle part (ampleness), the abdomen full, quite cylindrical, 

 and a head thick from its inferior line to the middle of the back. 



As to the members, they cannot be too beautiful. As soon as 

 such seems to be the case, the reason of it is that the upper part 

 is not in proportion. Strong columns under too light a structure 

 are not defective, they are simply useless. Large wheels moved by a 

 strong crank are neither of advantage to a locomotive nor hinder it 

 much if its boiler and its piston are unable to make use of them. But 

 it is entirely different if the supports, the wheels of the motor, are 



