116 FORM AND ACTION. 



considered that the knee-joint admits of some trifling lateral motion } 

 and that through it some variety is given in progression to the 

 direction of the leg, it will be seen that more became necessary 

 to give steadiness and precision, as well as due force and effect, in 

 action. The flexor muscles are more numerous and powerful than 

 the extensors, because all action in the fore-legs consists in flexion : 

 during extension the animal is standing still. There is an import- 

 ant extensile movement in the arm performed by the extensor bra- 

 chii, whose point of insertion is the process we call the elbow, and 

 which, in the living animal, is recognized by the remarkable plump- 

 ness of flesh immediately above that process, and before the girth- 

 ing-place. Every "judge" of horses knows that prominence at 

 this part constitutes an excellent "point;" it being of the very 

 first consequence that the arm should be extended with force, and 

 be firmly maintained in this extension, both on account of the pro- 

 jection of the limb in action, and for sure and safe alighting and 

 standing upon it. When the horse is throwing his fore-legs 

 straight out in the gallop, or projecting them, dart-like, in the trot, 

 this is the muscle which, as far as the arm is concerned, is chiefly 

 employed ; therefore strength of action, if not extent of projecture, 

 will mainly depend upon its magnitude or efficiency. 



The muscles designed for the motions of the leg and foot are 

 situated upon the arm — in the hind extremity upon the thigh ; 

 there being, as I before observed, no muscle or flesh, but tendon or 

 sinew alone, below the knee and hock ; and these muscles are in- 

 serted into the uppermost part of the leg, as close as possible 

 to the centre of motion — the knee or the hock. Considering the 

 length of the lever from either of these parts to the extremity of the 

 hoof, it will at once appear to what a great disadvantage these 

 muscles are acting ; when we come, however, to reflect, that the 

 tendons could not have proceeded in the straight or direct line to 

 the foot, on account of the infraction upon the form of the limb, 

 and that by the present admirable arrangement, though power 

 be lost, velocity of movement is gained, and gained in a manner 

 to compensate even for that loss of power, we shall discover that 

 an all-wise hand has in the construction of these parts not only 

 overcome every difficulty, but at once accomplished every desira- 

 ble object. For every half inch of contraction of the muscle, and 



