8 Veterinary Elements. 



cavities of the nose are some very light bones which are 

 of importance in their relation to the act of breathing. 

 These bones are covered with a very delicate mucous 

 membrane, containing a great number of small blood 

 vessels, the air as it passes over this membrane becomes 

 warmed before being taken in by the lungs. The teeth, 

 although properly classed with the bones of the head, 

 will be treated of when the digestive system is being 

 taken up. 



The Neck. Behind and below the head we find the 

 spinal (vertebral) column, made up of a number of sec- 

 tions, each called a vertebra. These vertebrae have a 

 hollow passage (spinal canal) through their centers, this 

 canal houses the spinal cord, thus protecting it against 

 injury. These vertebrae are so constructed as to allow 

 of movements between them, varying in degree accord- 

 ing to their location. Considerable motion is necessary 

 and it is provided for between the vertebrae of the neck, 

 such enables the head and neck to be placed in different 

 positions. The acts of raising and lowering, turning 

 sidewise are accomplished by the action of powerful 

 muscles attached to these bony sections. The site of the 

 junction of the bones of the head and neck is the region 

 of the poll, and it is these bones that are sometimes 

 affected in severe cases of Poll Evil. The bony sections 

 in the neck (cervical) region, number seven, and are 

 somewhat alike, the two first (atlas and axis) showing 

 the more marked differences. 



The Back. Passing along the back (dorsal region) we 

 find that the vertebrae forming this region are shorter 

 and more numerous, being 18 to 19 in number. They 



