144 NAYIN OX THE IIOESE. 



affected by anotlier very peculiar arrangement. Behind the 

 ball of the eye, in the cavity of the socket, there is a large 

 quantity of fat, and this extends up into the inner corner in 

 quite a large lump. This fat is not like the conimon fat of 

 the body, for it does not waste when the horse is in low con- 

 dition, nor increase when he is in high condition. This fat is 

 very elastic, and, when pressed upon, it slips from under the 

 pressure, and as soon as the pressure is removed, instantly 

 returns to its place again. There is attached to the ball of 

 the horse's eye a muscle peculiar to quadrupeds or four-footed 

 animals; and the use of this muscle is to draw the eye back 

 into the socket on the approach of the least danger. Now, 

 whenever this muscle acts, it draws the eyeball back, and it 

 presses on the fat behind it, and causes it to crowd out into 

 the inner corner of the eye, against the sharp angle of the 

 haw, which also is tipped with a little ball of fat, and by this 

 means the haw is made to dart over the ball of the eye with 

 the rapidity of lightning; and, as the ball of the eye is oval 

 in shape, as soon as the muscle which draAvs the eye back re- 

 laxes, the fat returns to its proper place, and the haw darts 

 back to its hiding-place, carrying on its upper surface the 

 tears, dust, or whatever offending matter might have lodged 

 on the eye. But as this might do mischief if allowed to go 

 down the little tube in the corner of the eye, leading to the 

 nose, they are wiped off on the outside. Thus we find the 

 haw 'to be the horse's pocket-handkerchief, or washer of the 

 eye, and of great service to him, being the only means of 

 protecting his eyes from the irritation of the dust, etc., through 

 which he\as to travel, as well as protecting him from the 

 liability to several diseases of a very unpleasant nature. 



We are now prepared to give a sensible explanation of the 

 great "bugbear" called ''hooks,'' and to hold up to the de- 

 served contempt of sensible people those miserable gougers 

 who are always ready to ''cut out the hooks,'' (the haw), when- 

 ever, from any cause, it is brought within their reach. 



