30 HORSE AND MAN. 



These laminae are, in fact, flattened hairs, and, like 

 all hairs, grow from their roots, which may be found 

 in the 'coronary ring' which surrounds the upper 

 portion of the hoof. The laminae which form the 

 front of the hoof grow much more rapidly than the 

 others, so as to compensate for the greater wear 

 and tear which takes place on the toe than on the 

 6 heel,' as it is called. 



HOOF OF FALKLAND ISLAND HORSE 

 (FRONT AND BACK VIEWS). 



Therefore, unless the front of the hoof be regularly 

 worn away, as was intended by the Creator, or cut 

 away by the knife, according to man's ideas of im- 

 proving on nature, it grows to an abnormal length, 

 and prevents the animal from walking in a natural 

 manner. 



The accompanying illustration represents the over- 

 grown hoof of a horse which had lived on the soft 

 and swampy ground of the Falkland Isles, and which 



