Instructions in All Kinds of Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

14 ping forward upon the balls of the toes, in such a manner, that one foot springs a few inches up from the ground, whilst the other makes a step forward: the latter restsbut a moment upon the ground to spring up a few inches, while the former makes a step for­ wards. By means of this exercise, the musclesof the lower membersare very much excited. Hopping. —The breast must be kept well forward, the arms a-kimbo, the knees quite stiff, and the legs closed. In this position, the body must be propelled by means of very small hops, following each other in rapid succession. The Striking of the lower part of the Back with the Feet. —The position of the body is the same as in hopping. The exercise is either single or double. In the former, the feet must be raisedalternately, ratherbriskly, and made to strike the posteriors. By this means the muscles of the thighs are brought into play, and the knee-joints renderedmore flexible. Boys soonbecome so expert in this exercise, as to be enabledto place the feet in the requiredpositionwithout any jerk. The double exercise is more violent; it consistsin striking both the feet at once, against this