ON THE EXTERNAL CONFOIIMATION. 29 

 nut within the shelL It is connected with the 

 hoof hy laminae, which arise both from the 

 inward surface of the hoof, and the surface of 

 the bone [vide fig. 4). These laminoe maintain 

 their connexion with each other by the attrac- 

 tion of cohesion ; they also contain innumer- 

 able ramifications of blood vessels and nerves. 

 The composition of this part is singularly beau- 

 tiful ; for if the coffin bone and hoof were not 

 separate from each other, the growth of the 

 hoof downwards could not have been carried on 

 independently of the parts contained within it ; 

 thus we find the connexion exists by the attrac- 

 tion of these laminas to each other, and which 

 are folded together like a fan, in order to oc- 

 cupy less space, and yet, if expanded, would 

 furnish a surface twenty times the circum- 

 ference of the foot. 



Within the coronet, at the sides of the 

 hoof, are placed two cartilages, in the shape of 

 a half moon. These cartilages cover the larger 



branches 



