outside for the gigantic spiral, which, when he can complete to a state of rest without ever touching the ice with the unemployed foot, the learner may consider he has mastered the outside edge; certainly not before. Hence the value of the spiral as a test figure.*

In alternating from one foot to another on this outside edge forwards or backwards, the striking is invariably done on the inside, so that this latter edge is gained by leaning over from the outside at the moment the change, from travelling on one foot to striking with the same foot (in order that the travelling may be continued on the other), is made. Thus this is the earliest lesson of the use of the two edges on one skate, and which will be fully entered into in Chapter VIII. In the present instance its employment is so very transitory that it merely deserves this passing allusion. Such a change of edge cannot, however, occur on that variation of outside known as the "cross-outside," for in that (as we have described in the General Directions) the stroke is from the outside.

The Dutch and others skate to market on the outside, making very long curves, consequently getting very little on the edge.

In England it is also called, in the old books on skating, rolling, for which we suggest a reason, viz. its resemblance to the rolling of a hoop or coin or

* Another excellent method of learning the outside edge forwards, should the skater require it, is given in the chapter for the ladies.,

loose wheel, also the rolling of a ship in a sea. Again, a drunken man is said to go "rolling down

Plan of the Outside Edge backwards. The stroke is given on the inside, therefore the curves at their rear extremities become inside. A moment before the stroke the unemployed begins to move into action. The foot that has given the stroke then becomes the unemployed.