( 88 ) 
Excrcife. I rid out, but could not reach it that Day* 
On the 28th I rid about four Miles ; and whereas at 6 
that Morning I reached the Nail, I had loft 6 tenths of 
an Inch by 8. September 19th I came from Oxford 
a little tired, and next Morning at 8 I wanted half an 
Inch. If I Study clofely, though I never ftir from my 
Writing-Desk, yet in ^ or 6 Hours I lofe near an Inch. 
All the Difference I find between Labourers and fe- 
dentary People is, that the former are longer in lofing 
their Morning Height, and fink rather lefs in the whole 
than the latter. I cannot perceive, that when the 
Height is loft, it can be regained by any Reft that Day, 
or by the Ufe of the cold Bath. 
I have not informed my felf fo well about Horfes ; 
my Mare comes Seven this Grafs, is ftrong, fhort 
back'd, and well legg’d. I meafured her before and af- 
ter riding 20 Miles, April 30th, and could not per- 
ceive the leaft Difference in her Height. 
The Alteration in the human Stature, I imagine,, 
proceeds from the yielding of the Cartilages between 
the Vertebra , to the Weight of the Body in an ere<ft 
Pofture. 
Aynho, May 16, 1724. 
This curious Obfervation has been confirmed by fe- 
deral Members of the Royal Society , and other s^ who 
have purpofely tried the Experiment. 
II. Some 
