THE ENGLISH GREYHOUND. 21 



the toes, and the metatarsals are arched so that there is a spi-iiig from 

 the heels to the toe. The only protection which nature has given is 

 the disposition of the skin on the sole of the foot to thicken by usage 

 and become much harder when exposed. Still, it is only skin, and 

 quite pliant, even when the tliickest. As I have remarked before, 

 the horse has thi-ee small bones encased in horn, and the os calcis, in 

 place of touching the gro.und, is elevated from twenty-two to twenty- 

 five inches above it. Nature has given ample protection from usual 

 occurrences in the thick, hard wall, and quickly-growing sole and 

 frog. 



The foot of a man can be encased in a boot or shoe, which scarcely 

 interferes with the greatest freedom of action, and yet, when called 

 upon for rapid exertion, the usual covering is found to be detrimental, 

 and a lighter shoe, and one which does not hamper, takes the place of 

 the ordinary one. * 



The first articles illustrated how nature had provided for the free- 

 dom of the horse's foot, and how completely it was fettered when a 

 band of iron was nailed around it. Another comparison will be 

 more apropos than that between man and the hoi'se. 



The fastest animal next to the horse (and some contend that he is 

 the faster of the two) is the English greyhound. His foot is very 

 different from the horse, in having quite a spring between the heel 

 and the toes, which comes from the knuckles forming an arch. The 

 pad is pi-otected with a sole like the indurated skin of the human 

 foot, but not nearly so hard as the layers of horn of the sole of the 

 horse. This pad at times becomes worn, so that it has to be artifi- 

 cially protected. It is obvious that this protection will, in a measure, 

 confine the toes, and the animals wearing them have nothing like 

 their usual speed. 



When the dog is at rest, the toes are drawn together, and the foot 

 covers a small space ; but when in the full force of the gallop, cover- 

 ing twelve to fifteen feet in his stride, the toes are spread apart, and 

 the imprint is nearly double that of the foot when raised. The grey- 

 hound is lighter in proportion to his size than the horse, and conse- 

 quently there is nothing like the concussion of the heavier animal, 

 even without a rider. A weighted collar upon the neck will handi- 



