THE FOOT. 417 



The lameUce are little, exceedingly tliin j^lates 

 of horn, one-twelfth of an inch broad, and vary- 

 ing in length from two inches to less than half 

 an inch. Their sides and free edges rival in 

 polish the finest spring that human skill can 

 form. They are attached to the inside of the 

 crust by one of their edges, and arranged in ^''^"^^v of foot, 

 almost perfectly parallel lines from the ui^per and *''''^''7c"«'Xr»r/s;,o'i! 



, - , ;: ' •'-•'■ ini llie lamellae. 



inner border ot the crust to the point of its union ".R^t of hoof left on. 



.,, XT 1 mi ,• ''- ^°°*' cut oflf, 



With the sole. They continue around on the caiied"^pr!nts""'"'^ 

 bars, but becoming shorter and shorter until they Je^^' *^" 

 are entirely lost sight of. Each lamella stands free of itself, 

 the spaces thus formed receiving the corresi)onding sensitive 

 lamellae covering the coffin-bone. The number of horny la- 

 mella3 have been estimated at five hundred, and the surface 

 their sides present at two hundred and twelve square inches,, 

 or nearly one square foot and a half ; but, from an imperfect 

 calculation of the lamellae of a foot before me, I am inclined, 

 to the opinion that the above estimate is entirely too low. By 

 these delicate leaves of spring, which very much resemble the 

 under side of a mushroom, and their corresponding lamella3 

 covering the coffin-bone, (at letter c in the above cul), almost 

 the entire weight of the horse is sustained; the great concus- 

 sion which, but for this, would occur to the other parts within, 

 the foot, is prevented, and the horse is enabled to glide along: 

 at the speed of five or six miles an hour, with the most perfect, 

 case to himself and his rider. In these lamellae of the horse's; 

 foot, we have a most magnificent illustration of the wisdom of 

 the Creator, which we are so often led to contemplate and rev- 

 erence in the examination of the animal economy. How won- 

 derful are the works of God! How boundless his designs for 

 the good of his creatures ! 



The superior border of the crust is not square across, but all 

 the way round from one heel to the other it is as if shaved out, 

 just as a cooper shaves the ends of the barrel-staves out to let 

 27 



