248 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



below the knee, and occupying the space between the two 

 spliut-bones, two rema>'kable and important ligaments are 

 situated. They are not only elastic, but also particularly 

 well adapted to obviate concussion. They have their origin 

 from the head of the shank-bone, and likewise from the 

 heads of the splint-bones. They descend down the leg, 

 and fill the groove between the splint-bones, although they 

 are not attached to either. A little lower down they ex- 

 pand on both sides, and as they approach the pasterns, 

 separate, and are inserted into two small sesamoid bones, 

 situate at the back of the upper pastern. These form a 

 joint, both with the lower termination of the shank-bone 

 and the upper pastern-bone, to both of which they are 

 united by ligaments, /, i, and k, but more firmly united 

 with the pastern than the shank. Between them pass the 

 flexor tendons, through a mucous bag, which prevents the 

 friction to which they would otherwise be exposed in passing 

 through so confined a situation. This ligament is continued 

 over the sesamoid bones, and afterwards is directed obliquely 

 forward over the pastern, where it unites with the long 

 extensor tendon, and downward to the perforated tendon, 

 which it surrounds, and fixes in its position, and likewise to 

 the smaller pastern bone. 



a. The coffin-bone. This bone is fitted to, and occupies the fore 

 part of tlie lioof, fiUing about half of it. It nearly resembles 

 the hoof in form, being half-moon shaped : it is convex above 

 and in front, and concave behind and beneath. It varies, 

 however, with the natural form of the hoof, and also adapts 

 itself to such changes in the hoof as are induced by disease. 

 Its structure is ligh<- and spongy, and perforated with numerous 

 holes. These are adapted for the passage of the blood-vessels 

 of the foot, without which the circulation could not be so safely 

 and conveniently kept up, and affords another striking example 

 of those beautiful provisions of nature for effecting certain ends. 

 But for this, these vessels would be frequently subjected tu 



