ON THE EXTERNAL CONFORMATION. 2T 



the toe. It consists of two sets of fibres, circu- 

 lar and perpendicular. 



The circular fibres surround the whole, and 

 by their contractile power, prevent the sides of 

 the hoof from bursting asunder. The degree 

 of density in these fibres, will depend on the 

 texture of the skin from whence they originate, 

 and, on this account, the hoofs of blood horses 

 are commonly much harder and more compact 

 than those of cart horses, whose skin is of a 

 more spongy nature. 



The sole forms the bottom of the foot, and 

 is closely connected with the wall, which con- 

 nexion may be distinguished at a small distance 

 from its edges. The sole is naturally concave, 

 and if the wall be firm, and possess suflficieat 

 contraction, it will have the property of an arch. 



The frog is a substance projecting above 

 the surface of the sole, and occupies the pos- 

 terior 



