184 



ANIMAL MECHANISM. 



If we note in this manner the rhythms of all the paces used 

 hy man, we shall obtain a synoptical table which will much 

 facilitate the comparison of these varied rhythms. Fig. 25 

 represents the synoptical notation of the four kinds of progres- 

 sion, or paces, which are regularly rhythmical, and in which 

 the two feet act alternately. 



Line 1 represents the notation of the rhythm of the walking 

 pace. This is the principle of the representation. 



The pressure of the right foot on the ground is represented 

 by a thick white stroke, a sort of rectangle, the length of 

 which corresponds with the duration of that pressure. For 

 the left foot there is a greyish rectangle shaded with oblique 

 lines. 



These alternations of grey and white express, by their suc- 

 cession, that in walking the pressure of one foot succeeds the 

 other without allowing any interval between the two. 



Fig. 35. — Synoptical notation of the four kinds of progression used by man. 



Line 2 is the notation which corresponds with the ascent of 

 a staircase. It is seen, agreeably with what has been already 

 explained (fig. 29), that the step-curves encroach on each 

 other, and that, consequently, the body during an instant rests 

 on both feet at once. 



Line 3 corresponds with the rhythm of running. After a 

 shorter step -curve of the right foot than in the walking pace, 

 an interval is t^een which corresponds with the suspension of 

 the body ; then a short impulse of the left foot, followed by a 

 fresh suspension, and so on continually. 



Line 4 answers to a more rapid rate of running. We find in 

 it a shorter duration of the pressures, a longer time of the 



