PHYSIOLOGY OF MOVEMENT. 



753 



the body to return to its natural position supported on all four of its 

 extremities. 



(6) Kicking. — By this term is understood the elevation and violent ex- 

 tension of the hind legs, with raising of the posterior part of the vertebral 



column. The first stage of this act consists in the extension of the neck 

 and the dropping of the head toward the ground between the firmly ex- 

 tended fore legs, while the hind legs are flexed by the powerful contrac- 

 tion of the back muscles, which find a fixed point of support in the last 



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