384 MERISTIC VARIATION. [part i. 



*573. Ox. Young ox having the two digits of the right fore foot 

 completely united together. At the lower extremity of the large 

 double metacarpal (III and IV) of the normal limb a deep cleft is 

 present, which separates the two articular extremities of the bone. 

 In this specimen this cleft was represented only by a sort of 

 antero-posterior channel, at the bottom of which there was a 

 slight groove, which was all that remained as an indication of the 

 original double nature of the bone. At the back of this metacarpal 

 there were only three sesamoids instead of four, and in the central 

 one there was not the slightest trace of duplicity. This sesamoid 

 was placed opposite to the channel above mentioned. The two 

 first phalanges were entirely united, but the vestiges of this fusion 

 could be seen both before and behind and also in the two articular 

 surfaces by which the bone was in contact with the metacarpal. 

 The same was true of the second phalanges. The third phalanges 

 however were so completely fused and so reduced in size that they 

 had the appearance of a single bone. The two small sesamoids 

 were similarly united. The general appearance of this limb was 

 remarkably like that of the Horse. Barrier, Rec. med. veter., 

 1884, Ser. 6, Tome 13, p. 490. [No particulars given as to the 

 condition of the other feet of the same animal] 



574. Ox having right fore foot with a single large metacarpal and 

 one splint-bone [? V]. The peripheral end of the metacarpal 

 had two articular surfaces closely compressed together, and these 

 two surfaces bore but one digit of three phalanges and one hoof 

 like that of a Foal. The preparation was an old one, and with 

 regard to the accessory hoofs there was no indication that could be 

 relied on. Kitt, Bent. Ztschr. f. Thierm., xn. 1886, Jahresb., 

 1884—5, p. 62, Case No. III. 



575. Calf: each foot having only one hoof. The phalanges, sesamoids, meta- 

 carpals and metatarsals, were all normal and the hoofs alone were united. The 

 cavity of the hoof was divided internally into two chambers, which were more 

 distinct in front than behind. Externally each hoof was slightly bifid in front, but 

 the soles of the feet were without trace of division. Morot, C., Bull, de la Soc. 

 de tried, vet., 1889, Ser. vn. T. vi. p. 39. Case I. 



576. Calf: killed at 10 weeks old. The left fore foot alone was abnormal, having only 

 one hoof. Viewed from without, this hoof was like that of a young ass, but it bore 

 a slight median depression, which was about 3 cm. wide and only 1 to 2 mm. deep, 

 which was all that remained to shew its double structure. Internally the cavity of 

 the hoof was single, but a horny ridge was present on the inside in the region of 

 the depression. The two unequal phalanges were peripherally united into a single 

 bone, but were separate centrally, and the two parts were not quite symmetrical 

 [details given]. The other parts were nearly normal. Morot, C, I. c, Case 2. 



*577. Ox. In a newly-born calf the following abnormalities were seen. 

 In the right fore foot there was a small well formed metacarpal 

 bone on the outside of the normal paired metacarpals, and a similar 

 but more rudimentary structure was also present on the inside of 

 the limb. The additional outer metacarpal bore two small phal- 

 angeal cartilages, and with them had a length of about 10 cm., 

 but the supernumerary metacarpal on the inner side was more 

 rudimentary and bore no trace of phalangeal structures. The toes 



