not too much bent; if the feet be raised far from the ground, running cannot be kept up long. Healthy and well-constituted respiratory organs are necessary for running. Dr. Wardrop's observations we have given, are well adapted to running, and his recommendation to keep the mouth shut, and moderate respiration, are of real importance, and justified by facts,

Leaping.

Leaping was one of the five exercises which, among the Greeks, were considered as contributing to speed and agility; it is considered as one of the best gymnastic exercises; it strengthens and gives elasticity to the feet, legs, thighs, knees, and indeed, the whole frame; it braces all the muscles, invigorates the courage, improves the faculty of measuring distances by the eye, and gradually imparts such a command over the whole body, that there is but little to fear from a fall; and it adds resolution to the character as children grow up.

Leaping is divided into simple and composed; simple leaping is again subdivided into vertical and horizontal. Simple leaping is performed by the mere contraction of the muscles of the body, which finds support on the soil, and by means of the feet. The composed leap is that in which the hands serve as a support, by means of a pole.

A preparatory exercise for leaping among the

Greeks, was hopping, which consists in lifting each foot alternately, without stirring from the place; by raising two feet at once, with a quick jerk, or hopping on one leg; these exercises resemble those practised by skipping over a string or rope. Colonel Amoros has termed

these exercises elementary.

A proper place should be selected for children to leap in; an open field is preferable: when in doors, it is practised over leaping posts, with holes to receive a straight rod, which can be raised at liberty; the bar or rod is not fastened, so that it affords no obstacle. In many instances, a string, having a leaden weight fastened to each end, is preferable.

The exercises are, the standing jump, and the running jump; the leapers first raise their feet and knees in a straight direction, not separating the legs; the body should be inclined forward, the run not too long, and in coming to the ground the fall should be not on the heels but on the toes and soles of the feet. This last observation is an important rule, applicable to nearly every kind of jump without exception. Leaping admits of great varieties; an apple may be suspended over the bar, the hands of the leaper may be loaded, he may have dumb bells, or rather small bags filled with sand. Vaulting consists in placing one or both hands on a fixed object, and throwing a leg over it in leaping, or else throwing both legs and the body over it; this exercise is justly considered as a part of horsemanship, and

must not be omitted in physical education. Leapfrog consists in leaping over children, having their hands placed on their knees, and standing in a bent position; children should be nearly of the same age and strength.

With a pole a child may leap in height from the ground, or from an elevation in length and depth; in all these exercises the pole must be from seven to ten feet long, not heavy, and sufficiently strong to support the weight of the leaper. He must generally turn himself round in leaping, describing a semicircle, excepting in the leap in length.

Leaping necessitates the action of the muscles of the legs, thighs, abdomen, chest, and back; in leaping with a pole, nearly all the muscles of the body are more or less contracted. It requires a certain degree of strength, and although Dr. Londe thinks these exercises desirable for lymphatic children, we do not consider them strong enough to leap with a pole, unless their constitution has been previously strengthened by less difficult exercise. In touching the ground the leaper must always bend the articulation; in leaping, the retention of the air in the chest diminishes the weight of the body, and the dangers of commotion.

Dr. Londe has justly condemned jumping from a great height, it being followed by serious commotion of the brain. The physician called to attend patients after a fall, must be well aware

of the effects on the brain,' and therefore, disapprove of any violent exercises.

Parallel Bars.

These exercises, which may be considered as elementary, are useful for the development of the thoracic limbs; they form a kind of intermedium between the simple elementary exercises, and those in which the whole body remains suspended in a trapezium. With bars, strings, and rods, children may keep the body suspended; the exercise is difficult, and children do not stand long. These exercises not only strengthen and develop the thoracic limbs, but increase the capacity of the chest; they are often employed in orthopedic gymnastics, in order to extend the ligament and intervertebral cartilages, which are unequally depressed in spinal deviations. Weak children, and beginners, do not remain long suspended by the arm, but soon acquire strength. by exercise: when they can support themselves, they make progress on the bar, or on the rope, so that each arm alone supports the weight of the body alternately; sometimes the ropes are stretched, sometimes they are loose. When children have acquired a certain facility and strength, they learn to climb.

Climbing.

To strengthen the body, fortify the courage, and increase the truly useful capacity of escaping

from various dangers, "climbing," says Salzmann, "is one of the most advantageous exercises, and when taught by due gradations is less dangerous than riding on horseback, or in a carriage."

Frank thinks that climbing tends greatly to promote bodily activity in boys; he says "that were youth only to be familiarized, under good guidance, with various dangers not always to be avoided in common life, and to learn the great art of preserving the balance of the body in all cases, much would be gained. Children would become habituated at an early age to dangerous situations, and be secure from that dizziness, which is often fatal to many in the occurrence of danger."

Nature," says Salzmann,, "has bestowed on us very safe and sufficient implements for climbing, in our hands, arms, legs, and thighs." We must begin by strengthening them, before we venture on the practice of climbing itself.

Children have the arms strengthened by the exercises of the horizontal bar, under which they remain suspended as long as they can, The legs have been previously strengthened by the exercises of walking, running, and leaping.

Children begin with poles of different size, generally with the slender trunk of a tree. The mast is difficult to climb, on account of its smooth surface. The rope ladder is still more difficult; but before climbing masts, poles, and rope ladders, children must be used to climb fixed