Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . The essential points in the form of a horse differ as muchas the uses he is put to vary. That which would approach perfection inone variety would be defective in another. The finest-formed racer thatever bounded over the turf at Newmarket, would cut a sorry figure in aLondon coal-wagon; while one of Barclays splendid specimens of theheavy draught-hor
Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . The essential points in the form of a horse differ as muchas the uses he is put to vary. That which would approach perfection inone variety would be defective in another. The finest-formed racer thatever bounded over the turf at Newmarket, would cut a sorry figure in aLondon coal-wagon; while one of Barclays splendid specimens of theheavy draught-horse would be even more misplaced if entered for theDerby. To be able to form a tolerably correct estimate of the capabilityof each variety of the horse to perform the duties required of it, froma view of the general figure, constitutes the very feather in the cap ofthe horse amateur. But to accomplish it requires much experience, anda long habit of observation, comparison, and reflection.* 488. Why has the horse a large square jarv under theear? To enable the teeth to bear great pressure, they are sock-eted very deeply in the jaw; and as the strength of themuscles of mastication is applied, is hot merely to close the * Blaines Rural KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL HISTORY. T63 There from the sunburnt hay field homeward creepsThe loaded wain; while, lightened of its charge,The wain that meets it passes swiftly by;The boorish driver, leaning oer his team.—Dryden. jaws, but to grind, or to rub the teeth both laterally andto and fro, extraordinary space is provided in the jawsfor the lodgment of a powerful muscle which has the doubleaction of closing the teeth, and of drawing the lower jawacross the upper. 489. Why does a heavy shoulder in a horse indicatethat he is slow, and apt to tumble? Because this heaviness, as it is commonly termed, re-sults from the uprightposjtion of the shoulderblade, which positionprevents it from revolv-ing freely, and so re-tards the forward mo-tion of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1916
