Another great means, both of preventing the fall of the arch, and of restoring it afterward—one hardly inferior to that of the heel—is the exercise and development of the muscles of the under side of the foot. These are chiefly concerned in the use of the toes. They act whenever we spring upon the forward part of the foot in walking, leaping, or dancing. Their exercise not only strengthens _them_, but it strengthens all the other parts also; the ligaments and bones, as well, being made more dense, firm, and enduring, according to the law that the proper use of the muscles of any part of the body draws blood, vitality, and strength into the surrounding or contiguous parts. As these muscles extend in a general lengthwise direction, their strong and firm condition tends directly to hold the ends of the arch as near together as they naturally belong, or in other words, prevent their separation. And as they must separate before the arch can sink, it is seen that here is a powerful influence naturally exerting itself to restrain the foot from flattening; a view which can be sustained by good anatomical and medical authority. The ladies of Spain are said to possess the finest feet of any race of women in the world. The fact can hardly be disputed; and to account therefore it is only necessary to take into consideration the general prevalence of their national habit of _dancing_, which, by all its movements and exercises of the foot, tends directly toward strengthening the toes and raising the arch. A person who can support the weight of the body on the tips of the great toes, either naturally or by cultivation, must possess not only strong muscles in the toes themselves, but a strong arch, and strong foot throughout. We will risk the reputation of this book on the assertion that a broken-down arch cannot be found in the whole dancing _profession_. Here, then, is indicated one course of practical effort by which to avoid or ameliorate the deformity. All those movements of gymnastics which go to strengthen the foot may likewise be adopted with advantage. The toes must also be taught to do their share in the process of walking; and whatever action, in short, will cause the exercise of the muscles of the lower part of the foot, should be favoured, and will help to develop and raise the arch. But this effect cannot be produced immediately. It may require patience, determination, and steady perseverance. There is no royal road to recovery from flat-footedness, any more than there is to knowledge.