1891.] ^^'^ [Bache. 



the lower animals is one illustrating the speed of a blow, the exam- 

 ination of it which has followed has led to a remarkable confirma- 

 tion of the preceding estimate of speed. Plate No. 333 of the 

 Muybridgc series represents the phases of a knockdown blow, in- 

 cluding the effects, until the person struck is prone on his back on 

 a mattress. The intervals between the photographic phases is 

 ninety-six one-thousandths of a second. Three successive phase- 

 pictures, thus virtually taken one-tenth of a second apart, represent 

 the blow from start to finish. In the first, the striking arm is drawn 

 back and starting from its point of departure. In the second, the 

 arm is seen projecting about half way between the boxing opponents. 

 In the third and last phase of the blow the fist of the striker lands 

 on his opponent. The interval between the first and second phase 

 having been virtually one-tenth of a second, and that between the 

 second and third also one-tenth of a second, the blow was therefore 

 delivered in virtually one-fifth of a second. Measurements on the 

 pictures giving the successive phases show that the length of the 

 blow from start to finish was 38 inches. Here we have the rate of 

 38 inches in one-fifth of a second. We have previously used the 

 estimated rate of 48 inches in one-fourth of a second. The data 

 derived, on the one hand, from observation, and that, on the other, 

 from experiment, coincide within a small fraction — within half an 

 inch. 



It is open to observation that boxers who make their living by 

 ring-fighting carefully conceal from the public, knowledge of the 

 momentum with which they can strike, although this could be easily 

 and safely obtained, and probably often is, with the glove and dy- 

 namometer. In the ring, as in many other instances in which all 

 seems physical to the casual observer, moral elements enter. The 

 dangerousness of the man whose exact moving energy of blow is 

 known, is to a certain extent discounted, so potent is the imagina- 

 tion in the affairs of men. Professional fighters know, as well as 

 every one else does, that everything unknown seems magnificent. 



The element of quickness in a boxer, in addition to courage, 

 skill, strength, weight, and endurance is indispensable. In the case 

 of such men as Sandow, muscles have been trained by work so pon- 

 derous that they do not respond to the will for elastic, quick move- 

 ments. Men like him cannot put the same speed into their blows 

 as can men trained as Corbett has been, nor can they i)ut the weight 

 of their bodies as effectively into their blows as men can who hav'e 



