ON BRIDLING 319 



of the curb-bit are drawn back by the reins so as 

 to act at half a right angle, from the position in 

 which they are in the same line with the opening 

 of the mouth, the plane of the arc will become 

 perpendicular to the bars and will give the tongue 

 the utmost possible freedom. 



The curve of the cannon which is to give free- 

 dom to the tongue must have a smaller opening 

 than the breadth of the cavity of the bars so that 

 the cannon sliould keep on the bars. If the opening 

 of the cannon were to be larger than the breadth 

 of the cavity of the bars the cannon would not re- 

 main stationary over the bars but would fall on one 

 side of the bars thus wounding some part of them. 



If the arc which gives freedom, to the tongue 

 were elliptical instead of round, one would think 

 that it would be more convenient to the horse' s 

 tongue, as it would leave the tongue in a position 

 less different from its natural position whicli is 

 that of being extended in the sense of its breadth. 

 If the tongue is kept curved by a round and nar- 

 row arc it seems that it Avould feel an uncomfor- 

 table sensation. Both arcs will be more or less 



