Instructions in All Kinds of Gymnastic Exercises (extract)

22 exercise, particularly for the muscles of the feet, calves,and thighs. The second, besides having this advantage, practises the eye in judging the proper place fromwhich to make the spring; and also excites courage in the leaper. The Jump. —Dig a ditch about half or three-quarters of a foot in depth, upon the exercise-ground, in the formof the annexed figure, which affords the learner an oppor­ tunity for advancing progressively from short to longer jumps. Eight feet are sufficient for the length of a, h, since a jump of once and a half times the length of the body, is considerable for the beginner. The situation of this ditch upon the exercise-ground is shewn at fig. 2, Plate I. The jump is xvithout a run. The beginner places himself at one bank with the feet closed; his whole weight rests PREPARATORY EXERCISES. b