on the inside backwards. Here the change of edge must be again effected by leaning over to outside backwards, from which two turns are made, the last of which will leave the skater on the edge he originally started upon, viz. the outside backwards.

As we may expect, from our experience of the foregoing, it becomes practicable to describe on the ice, double imitative figures. As these are useful when regarded as practice, which tends to educate the feet, it is perhaps advisable to preserve them. We name the two sorts

THE UNITED SHAMROCK AND THE UNITED

ROSES.

(Figs. 68, 69, and 70.)

We shall only describe the first in detail, as the second is easily done by adding more turns.

There are four ways of skating them, founded on the reverse Q's A, B, C, and D three turns, joined to the Q's A, B, C, and D. We will take the example from the reverse Q A three turns, and the Q B three turns.

This is begun by describing a curve of inside forwards, turning to outside backwards, again turning to inside forwards, and then again to outside backwards (at which period the junction forms one shamrock). Continuing on the last-mentioned edge for a yard or two, a change of edge must

FIG.

FIG. 69

FIG. 70

68.-THE DOUBLE SHAMROCK. FIG. 69.-THE DOUBLE ROSES. 70.-SERPENTINE LINE AND SEVERAL TURNS. extensions of the Q principle.)

be effected by leaning over to inside backwards, on which edge the skater continues for another yard or two (thus forming a serpentine curved stalk); a turn is then made to outside forwards, another turn to inside backwards, and another to outside forwards, the junction of which forms the last shamrock: the figure being, in fact, two double threes, each of a different sort, altered to the form of a shamrock, and united by a serpentine curved line, the whole being done on one foot, and affording no less than eight changes.

The United Roses contain more turns in the spiral form, commenced and finished at the centre; beyond this the principle of the figure is the same.

CHAPTER XI.

ALTERNATING MOVEMENTS.

WE shall now proceed to direct the reader's attention to a few little matters in connexion with our last lessons that require explanation.

The question may arise, whether sufficient impetus can be maintained to alternate some of these kind of Q's, and make them self-sustaining? We can reply in the affirmative. It becomes quite possible on good ice, and with due attention to the impulse and momentum, as described in the General Practical Directions, to alternate even double Q's; whilst from a very gentle start, six or more single Q's can be linked in series on one foot, without any fresh aid from the other. The size of Q's may be left to the capabilities of the skater, the aim being to skate them large, even if in doing so they should become fewer in number.

Can we make use of the cross impulse? Certainly, and at times it is most useful and convenient to make these well-known respective cross movements, either forwards or backwards, available; and this causes additional variety.

We have selected from our own practice two more original and difficult movements, by which the skater may test his powers of alternating movement under the disturbing influences of a series of changes, which, without due care, will most assuredly bring him to a standstill.

FIRST ALTERNATING MOVEMENT.

Turn C as a start on the left, reverse Q D on the right, which leaves the skater on the outside forwards, on which he makes Turn C, which leaves. him on the inside back of the same foot (the right), and from which he must obtain sufficient impulse to repeat the movement on the left, and again on the right continuously.

SECOND ALTERNATING MOVEMENT.

Turn C as a start on the left, Q D on right foot, which leaves the skater on the outside forwards, on which he makes Turn C, which leaves him on the inside back of the same foot (the right), and from which he must obtain sufficient impulse to repeat the movement on the left, and again on the right continuously.

*

One of the writers having laboured for many years at the resuscitation of the serpentine line, and the development of the Q's simple and complex, it was long his earnest desire to see some of them,

* H. E. Vandervell.