Fig. 142.—The Leap.
Fig. 143.—The Leap.
One sudden trigger action produced by the violent contraction of the extensors of the hind-legs then takes place, and the animal is projected forwards, while he flexes the fore-legs more and more ([Fig. 139]). He has then risen above the obstacle ([Fig. 140]). Then while he makes the downward and forward balancing movement, and points his fore-limbs in the same direction, he flexes the hind ones ([Fig. 141]). Whilst the latter are further flexed, in order to pass the obstacle in their turn, the fore-limbs which are extended come into contact with the ground ([Fig. 142]). Finally, in the last phase of the leap, the animal, raising himself in front, after the impact of his hind-feet has taken place ([Fig. 143]), prepares to continue the pace at which he progressed before meeting the obstacle which he had to clear.
THE END
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