THE FINAL IMPULSE. XUl 



but the body lias been moved forward about thirty inches, and u 

 perpendicuhir from the toe just touches the very back part of 

 the saddle. The other fore leg has been brought forward so that the 

 arm is at right-angles with the surfiice of the gi-ound, the knee bent 

 so much that the foot is considerably above it, in part owing to tlie 

 bending of the pastern. All of that fore leg is above the twelve- 

 inch line. The hind legs are drawn iip, and though one hock is 

 raised the hiofhest, the feet both touch the horizontal line a foot from 

 the ground, with no pei'ceptible difference in .the elevation. The 

 position so fortunately caught by the camera at the right moment, 

 is just as the body commences its flight through the air, and which 

 will not be broken by contact with the earth until eighty-five inches 

 have been covered. The last impulse of the hind legs to aid in this 

 flight through the air was given one hundred and fortj'-two inches 

 back, so that it is clear the great motor is in the fore extremities, 

 and the old notion that the quarters and hind legs were the driving 

 power, the fore legs only needed for props, to be rolled out of the 

 way, is effectually exploded. It may appear tiresome to spend so 

 much time on this feature of the action, though I think it will be 

 found well worthy of our attention to give it proper consideration, 

 and I shall be disappointed if I do not show, that in connection with 

 other matters, it has a good deal to do with the explanations why 

 weight on the feet is pi-ejvidicial to the race-horse, and, in some in- 

 stances, an absolute essential for hoi-ses to trot fast. 



Those who have the Muy bridge photographs and have accompanied 

 the description with a comparison of the pictures, Avill understand 

 the action, but I despair of making it clear without their aid. 

 Still, I trust that some idea can be derived of the true manner 

 in which a horse gallops, aided by the three cuts which Gov. 

 Stanford and Mr. Muybridge have kindly given me permission 

 to use. Thus, the body is flung through the air for nearly one- 

 third of the stride, the last and greatest force given by the fore-legs. 

 While in the flight the legs are drawn up, hocks and knees bent, and 

 the feet close together. There is a change in the position of the 

 legs while the body is suspended in air, and one hind foot is thrust as 

 far forward as it can be advanced, and the first contact is made with 



