THE THIGH. 



25P 



CUT OF THE MUSCLES OF THE INSIDE OF THE THIGH. 



muscles, the external and 

 internal. They proceed, 

 the external from the outer 

 surface of the upper bone 

 of the thigh ; the internal 

 from the inner surface ; 

 and are inserted into the 

 upper part of the bone of 

 the stifle, both on the inner 

 and outer side. These 

 muscles act at considera- 

 ble mechanical disadvan- 

 tage ; they form a very 

 slight angle, not at all ap- 

 proaching to a right angle ; 

 but they are muscles of 

 immense size, and occupy 

 all the fore-part of the 

 thigh, from the stifle up- 

 wards. They are power- 

 ful extensors of the thigh, 

 and of the hinder leg gen- 

 erally, for they are all 

 inserted into the bone of 

 the knee, an(J that is con- 

 nected by strong tendons 

 with the bone of the true 

 leg. We shall have more 

 to say of the action of 

 this muscle when we have 

 described the bone of the knee. 



On the inside of the thigh are several other large fleshy muscles, as 

 distinct to the eye as these, and which will be recognised after the slightest 

 observation of the thigh of the living horse. First, we have a long, narrow, 

 prominent muscle, the sartorius, or tailor's muscle, enabling him to sit cross- 

 legged, d, arising from the edge of the haunch-bone, about half way down 

 it, and inserted into the inner and upper part of the lower bone of the thigh, 

 for thus we call this bone extending from the stifle to the hock, and which 

 in the human being would be properly the leg. It bends the leg, and turns 

 it inward, not useful in the latter case in progression, but in many of the 

 natural actions of the horse. 



Next comes a broad thin muscle, e, which cannot be mistaken, occupying 

 the greater portion of the surface of the inner part of the thigh, and par- 

 ticularly the prominent part of it. It is called the gracilis, or slender 

 muscle. It arises from the lower part of the haunch-bone, and, in its 

 passage downward, uniting with the last muscle, is inserted with it into 

 the inner and upper part of the lower bone of the thigh. It also turns the 

 leg. If its direction be considered, it acts with evident advantage ; but its 

 insertion into the bone of the lower bone of the thigh is very disadvantageous. 

 It applies its power very close to the joint or centre of motion, and the weighi, 

 consisting of the whole limb, and which may be supposed to be concentrated 

 about its middle, is far distant. 



