THE SKELETON. 2§ 



seen from the side, makes the impression of impos- 

 ing width. 



Great length of the forearm, as a bone enveloped 

 by muscles, adds considerably to the execution of 

 powerful movements of the lower parts of the leg. 

 At least a short fore arm in a long leg is at all times 

 an unfavorable formation, brought about b}^ a too 

 great and injurious length of the cannon bone. For 

 the dimensions of the cannon bone, the fetlock, etc., 

 the same rules are decisive as on the hind legs. 



Comparative value of the different hones and joints. 

 (See Fig. 14) 



If I said that the importance of the shoulder 

 blade and arm bone for the movements of the fore 

 leg be equal to that of the thigh bone and leg bone 

 of the hind leg, I find myself seemingly in contradic- 

 tion with the usual opinions, viz : that the shoulder 

 is as the haunch bone of the fore leg ; that the arm 

 bone corresponds with the thigh bone, and the fore 

 arm with the leg bone ; and that, therefore, the elbow 

 joint has a similar relation to the stifle joint, and 

 the elbow to the stifle. From an anatomical stand- 

 point, these views may be correct; but viewing the 

 different bones and joints from the standpoint of 

 the movements and performances executed by them, 

 we will come to a different opinion. For instance^ 

 the movements of the arm bone are not the same 



