264 THE HORSE. 



in ita place, within which its plays. It is seen continuing its course on the 

 front of the cannon or shank-bone. Having arrived at the fetlock-joint, it 

 begins to expand, and is finally inserted into the upper part of the coffin- 

 bone, or bone of the foot, after having given various fibres to both the 

 pasterns. The course of the corresponding tendon in the fore-leg is given 

 in the cut, p. 249, fig. I. 



At 7n, p. 260, is another of the e.xtensor muscles, called the "peroncBus, 

 from a name given to the fibula. It rises from the whole course of the 

 fibula, and also becomes tendinous before it reaches the hock. About half 

 way down the shank it is found in the same sheath with the principal exten- 

 sor muscle, and is inserted with it into the coffin-bone. The office of the 

 extensor nmscles is to raise the foot from the ground, and to bring it forward 

 under the body. 



At is the Jlexor pedis, one of the principal flexor (bending) muscles 

 of the foot, rising from the upper part of the tibia. As it approaches the 

 hock, it is distinguished by its large round tendon, which is seen to enter 

 into a groove at the back of the hock. It is continued down the back of 

 the leg like a similar muscle in the fore-leg, is the perforating flexor 

 muscle of the hind-leg, and assists in bending the pastern and coffin, 

 joints. 



k is a. very slender muscle, rising from the head of the fibula, and pro* 

 ceeding over the external part of the thigh, and, just above the hock, uniting 

 with the tendon of the perforating muscle. 



j is a very powerful muscle, springing from the head of the upper bone 

 of the thigh, and, midway down the lower bone of the thigh, ending in a 

 flat tendon, which is inserted into the point of the hock. Its use is to extend 

 the hock. It is evidently most advantageously situated for powerful action; 

 for it acts almost at right angles, and its effect is increased in proportion to 

 the projection of the point of the hock. 



We now turn to the inner side. See cut, p. 259. 



m gives a portion of the muscle which we have just described. 



n an inside view of the perforating flexor muscle of the foot. 



I is the peronaeus. 



is the perforated flexor tendon, having its origin from near the lower 

 head of the upper bone of the thigh ; becoming tendinous as it passes down 

 the thigh ; expanding over and surrounding the point of the hock, and 

 assisting in extending it ; and then pursuing its course down the posterior part 

 of the leg, in a manner so much resembling that of similar tendons in the 

 fore-leg, that we shall content ourselves with referring to a description of 

 the perforated and perforating flexor tendons at page 239. 



At e is a continuation of the gracilis muscle, p. 259, over the stifle. 



At h is the extensor pedis, already described, p. 263, with its tendon. 



At i is a muscle used to bend the hock, the Jlexor metatarsi, or bender of 

 the leg; rising from the lower part of the upper bone of the thigh, and 

 inserted into the upper part of the shank-bone ; and also the inner small 

 splint-bone. It is a muscle of considerable power, although disadvan- 

 tageously situated, both as to its direction and its being inserted so near to 

 the joint. 



At k is a short muscle, extending from the upper to the lower thigh-bones 

 (the poplitfEus), bending the stifle and turning the limb inward. 



These cuts represent the situation of some of the principal blood-vessels 

 and nerves of the hind extremities. 



In the cut of the inside of the thigh, page 259, p represents the course 

 of the principal artery ; at q are blood-vessels belonging to the groin ; at 

 r is the large cutaneous vein, or the vein immediately under the skin. The 



