26 HOW TO JUDGE A HOJlSE. 



as those of the thigh Lone; the elbow joint is not 

 in the same relation for the forward movement of 

 the fore leg as is the stifle joint for the hind leg, its 

 chief activity comiug into play during the act of 

 pushing forward. 



If we look at the different bones and joints of the 

 haunches, we find that the thigh bone corresponds 

 with the shoulder-blade of the fore leg, the leg bone 

 with the arm bone, etc. 



The shoulder-blade lies parallel with the thigh bone 

 (Fig 1% page 29, a and a), and their motions, in ex- 

 tending the legs forward and in pushing forward, are 

 precisely in the same direction, though the shoulder- 

 blade is less movable, different in form, and, at its 

 upper end, fastened only to muscles and not to a 

 socket like the thigh bone. But these are modifica- 

 tions brought about and justified through its cramped 

 but otherwise safe position at the vault of the chest. 

 The very movable shoulder can never be compared 

 with the totally unmovable haunch bones. These 

 latter enclose the internal and posterior cavity of the 

 rump in the shape of a firm bony ring, similar to 

 the ribs, enclosi'jg the organs of the chest, a task 

 which the shoulder-blade has nothing to do with. 

 This firm ring of bone could go in close connection 

 with the thigh bone ; the movable and less resisting 

 ribs could form a union with the uppermost bone of 



