Artistic Anatomy of Animals Part 34

[57] If we refer to the proportions indicated by Bourgelat, we shall find that the proportions relative to the crupper are also indicated there (see p. 266, paragraph 4).

'The crupper, such as we have just defined it, D, H, may also be found to a fair degree of exactness, as regards length, four times on the same horse.'

1. From the point of the b.u.t.tock to the inferior part of the stifle, F, P.

2. The width of the neck, a little in front of the withers to a little above the point of the arm, S, X.[58]

[58] MM. Goubeaux and Barrier replace this by the following: 'The width of neck at its inferior attachment from its insertion into the chest to the origin of the withers, S, X.' Bourgelat discovered the same proportion (see p. 266, last line of paragraph 4).

3. From this latter point to below the lower jaw, X, Q, when the head is naturally placed parallel to the shoulders, E, H.[59]

[59] MM. Goubeaux and Barrier replace this by the following: 'From the insertion of the neck into the chest to the lower border of the lower jaw, X, Q, when the head is parallel to the shoulder.'

4. From the nape to the nostrils, _n, n'_.[60]

[60] MM. Goubeaux and Barrier add: 'Or to the commissure of the lips.'

It is thus, besides, that Bourgelat measured the head for comparison with the crupper (see p. 266, paragraph 4).

The measure of =half of the head= also acts as a good guide for the construction of the horse, when we know that it frequently applies to many of the parts--to wit:

1. From the forehead above the eyes, perpendicular to the line which is tangent to the lower jaw, P, Q.

2. Outline of the neck at the level of the base of the head, Q, L.[61]

[61] Proportion indicated by Bourgelat (see p. 267, paragraph 9).

3. From the crown of the fore-foot to below the knee, T, T'.

4. In the legs, from the base of the fetlock to that of the ham, U, V.

5. Finally, it is nearly of the length of the humerus from the point E to the radius.[62]

[62] MM. Goubeaux and Barrier replace these by the following:

1. 'From the most prominent part of the lower jaw to the profile of the forehead above the eye, P, Q (thickness of the head).

2. 'From the throat to the superior border of the neck behind the nape, Q, L (attachment of the head).

3. 'From the inferior part of the knee to the crown, T, T'.

4. 'From the base of the ham to the fetlock, U, V.

5. 'Finally, from the point of the arm to the articulation of the elbow (approximate length of the arm).'

PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD OF THE HORSE[63]

[63] Extract from the work of MM. Goubeaux and Barrier on the exterior of the horse. As before, the initials G. and B. of these authors are added.

Although it is very difficult, says M. Duhousset, when we speak of measurements taken on the living animal, to formulate other than approximations, we believe we have determined with sufficient accuracy the following results, which are the outcome of our numerous observations. The head which we present is that of a horse which we have frequently come across as a mean term between the highly bred and the draught horse. Under this heading, it will not be devoid of interest to accompany with dimensions the two drawings to which are consigned the measurements in question.

=Head viewed in Profile= (Fig. 108).--Length, A, B, from the nape to the margin of the lips, 060 metre.

Thickness, C, D, from the angle of the lower jaw to the anterior surface (a half-head), 030 metre. This line pa.s.ses through the middle of the eye, taken perpendicularly, to the profile of the anterior surface. Many common horses present it, especially the heavier draught horses; in finely-bred subjects it is a little shorter (G. and B.).

Depth, I, H, of the neck in its narrowest part (a half-head), 030 metre. It is frequently greater; this is noticeable in all instances where the superior parts of the neck are deficient in fineness. It is this which we see in draught horses, and in those which become too fleshy (G. and B.).

Distance, O, R, of the internal commissure of the eye from the superior border of the commissure of the nostril (G. and B.) (a half-head), 030 metre. It is more considerable on the common head, and on that which is too long.

Distance, A, O, from the nape to the internal angle of the eye, 022 metre. This distance is equivalent to the thickness of the head, P, Q, taken perpendicularly from the profile of the anterior surface, and pa.s.sing at the level of the maxillary fissure and spine.

It is, again, equal to Q, O, from the internal angle of the eye to the maxillary fissure; and to P, G, from the middle of the face to the commissure of the lips (G. and B.).

The distance, P, E, from the middle of the face to the maxillary spine is about the sixth of the total length of the head--010 metre.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 108.--PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD OF THE HORSE, VIEWED IN PROFILE (AFTER COLONEL DUHOUSSET).]

The line B, E, reckoned from the extremity of the lips to the maxillary spine, is equal:

To E, F, from the maxillary spine to the external auditory meatus, to be seen only on the skull;

To H, G, from the insertion of the neck in the trough to the commissure of the lips (G. and B.);

To Q, R, from the maxillary fissure to the superior commissure of the nostril (G. and B.);

To Q, B, from the fissure of the maxilla to the border of the lips (G.

and B.);

To O, D, from the internal angle of the eye to the angle of the lower jaw, provided that the line C, D be in proportion (G. and B.).

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 109.--THE SAME DESIGN AS THAT OF FIG. 108, ON WHICH WE HAVE INDICATED, BY SIMILAR LINES, THE PRINc.i.p.aL CORRESPONDING MEASUREMENTS.

Half the length of the head, and the dimensions which equal it; distance which separate the nape from the internal angle of the eye, and the dimensions which equal it; distance which separates the internal angle of the eye from the border of the lips, and the dimensions which equal it.[64]]

[64] It is thus that in our teaching, but by means of lines of different colours, we present the proportions reproduced in Fig.

108. Experience has demonstrated to us that this replacement of letters by conventional lines renders the proportions more easily appreciable, and that these lines, striking the eye more forcibly, then impress themselves better on the memory. Fig. 111 bears the same relation to Fig. 110.

Finally, very frequently to O, H, from the internal angle of the eye to the insertion of the throat into the maxillary trough (G. and B.).

An equality still more frequent is that which exists between the distances:

O, B, from the internal angle of the eye to the margin of the lips;

A, H, from the nape to the insertion of the throat into the maxillary trough;

And H, B, from this latter point to the margins of the lips.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 110.--PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD OF THE HORSE, SEEN FROM THE FRONT (AFTER COLONEL DUHOUSSET).]