The high arch is thus beautiful for the same reason that any other organ or part of the body is beautiful—because it is better adapted to perform its intended function or office, which is the support of the weight of the body, this design being more perfectly accomplished when the arch is high, because it is then stronger than when low or flattened. To flatten it is like drawing apart the ends upon which it rests, and this, it is apparent, weakens, if it does not entirely break, the unity and strength of the whole. The nature of the construction of the foot in this respect is thus set forth by Prof. Meyer: “If the inner aspect of the foot is examined, we find that it is an arch, resting in front on the anterior heads of the five metatarsal bones, but principally on that of the great toe, and on that of the calcaneum behind. The astragalus forms the key-stone of the arch. “The arch is enabled to retain its form by means of strong ligaments or bands passing from one bone to the others, and thus held closely together, sustains the superincumbent weight of the body without giving way. “When we rest on the foot, as in standing, the arch is flattened by the pressure from above, and consequently becomes _lengthened_. When, however, the foot is allowed to hang free, _the curvature of the arch is increased_. At every step in walking, also, when the foot is raised from the ground, _the curvature immediately becomes greater through the action of the muscles_.” This action, it will be readily seen, is precisely that of a spring under a carriage, or other similar vehicle, and seems to have a like intention—that of preventing the transmission of a shock or jar to the joints, and the internal organs of the body above.