110 MODERN FARRIER. 



That the crust is united with the last bone of the 

 foot, by a number of laminated elastic substances. 



That the uses of the laminae are to support the 

 weight of the animal, and from their elasticity to 

 prevent concussion. 



That the horny sole is externally concave, inter- 

 nally convex, and united by its edge with the infe- 

 rior part of the crust. 



That the uses of the horny sole are to act as a 

 spring ; by descending at the heels ; to preserve the 

 sensible sole from pressure, and (with its concavity) 

 to form a convexity of the earth. 



That the external bars are nothing more than a 

 continuation of the crust, forming angles at the heels. 

 That the internal bars are a continuation of the 

 laminae of the crust, attached to the horny sole at 

 the heels within the hoof; and that these insensible 

 laminae are intimately united with sensible laminated 

 bars, connected with the sensible sole. 



That the use of the external bars, is to preserve 

 the heels expanded ; and the use of the internal 

 horny bars, to prevent separation and dislocation of 

 the horny sole from the sensible sole. 



That the external frog is convex, and of an insen- 

 sible horny elastic nature. 



That the internal sensible frog is of the same 

 form, very highly elastic, and united with two elas- 

 tic cartileges. 



That the frogs are not made to protect the ten- 

 don, as Mr. St. Bel and other writers have supposed. 

 That the use of the frog is to prevent the horse 

 from slipping, by its convexity embracing the 

 ground ; and from the elasticity of the sensible and 

 horny frogs, they act as a spring to the animal, and 

 keep expanded the heels. 



In the common mode of shoeing, the bars are to- 

 tally cut away, and the frog is considerably pared 

 down, by means of a cutting instrument called a 

 hutteris. The reason assigned for cutting away the 



