THE HEIGHT. 811 



at the point g, whose situation varies according to the height of the 

 cane itself. The distance, eg, is .always calculated in such a manner 

 that it makes the length of the cane equal to one metre. This amounts 

 to the same thing as though the cane itself had this length, and, it 

 being inconvenient to carry a cane of this size, the inventor conceived 

 the ingenious idea of giving to the distance, eg, the required length of 

 which we speak. 



To use this instrument, the handle, i, must be forcibly pulled to 

 draw out the whole length of the superior segment, 6. A catch placed 

 at the lower end of this segment fixes it here, d y and prevents it from 

 being pushed back into the lower segment when pressure is made 

 upon the handle. It is necessary to take this precaution in order to 

 avoid the errors which would otherwise follow. The horizontal bar, 

 e, is then placed in position, supported by/, and the animal is meas- 

 ured, as in the preceding cases, by gradually pushing the graduated seg- 

 ment into the cane, a. When the segment, c, has been entirely pushed 

 back, we meet with a resistance at d : the instrument will now shorten 

 no more. It is then necessary to press upon the catch, d, to allow the 

 segment, 6, to descend in its turn. As soon as the horizontal arm 

 touches the summit of the withers, the figures corresponding to the ex- 

 tremity of the cane, h, are read, and it only remains now to add this num- 

 ber to one metre to determine the accurate height of the horse. 



When purchasing a hippometric cane, it is important to verify its 

 accuracy with care, for the metallic cap at the extremity, I, is sometimes 

 too short or too long, and the combined distances Ih and eg are then no 

 longer equal to one metre. It is necessary, besides, that the arm, e, 

 should form a right angle, move easily, and, with its support, /, be 

 easily lodged in the groove which is excavated for it upon the segment 6. 

 It is indispensable also that the segments b and c should glide one within 

 the other, and both within the sheath of the cane, without excessive 

 friction. Finally, the play of the spring d should be exact. 



Precautions to be taken. In order to measure a horse certain 

 precautions must be taken, without which the measurement would 

 be of no value. The animal should first be taken upon a horizontal sur- 

 face and placed in the position of regular station. An assistant, stand- 

 ing in front, holds the head and neck in their ordinary position ; then 

 he covers with one of his hands, especially from behind, the eye on the 

 side towards the operator, in order that the animal may not become 

 frightened or unmanageable. Besides, the operator should be careful 

 to touch the animal very gently. As to the hippometer, it is needless 

 to say that it must be held vertically. If it be inclined or incurvated 



