24 PEACTICAL HORSESHOEING. 



from the true skin immediately above the "coronary 

 cushion." 



The use of this band would appear to be twofold : it con- 

 nects the skin with the hoof, and thus makes the union of 

 these two dissimilar textures more complete, its interme- 

 diate degree of density and its great elasticity admirably 

 fitting it for this office ; and it acts as a covering or pro- 

 tection to the wall at its upper part, where this is only in 

 process of formation, and has not sufficient resistance to 

 withstand the effects of exposure to the weather. The 

 greatest thickness and density of the band correspond to 

 the portion of the .wall in which the villi or vascular tufts 

 are lodged, and here the horn is soft, delicate, and readily 

 acted upon in an injurious manner, by external influences. 



Thus far, then, we have rapidly glanced at the 

 anatomy and uses of the various parts entering into the 

 composition of the horse's foot, and its horny box — the 

 hoof. It may be necessary, before we pass to the con- 

 sideration of the latter, as a whole, to allude to the struct- 

 ure and uses of that narrow strip of horn, whose pres- 

 ence every farrier or veterinary surgeon is cognizant of, 

 but whose character and functions have been strangely 

 left out of consideration by all anatomists hitherto. I re- 

 fer to the " white line " or " zone," the slender inter- 

 mediate band that runs around # the margin of the sole, 

 and connects that plate of horn so closely to the wall as 

 to make their union particularly solid and complete. 

 When preparing the border of the hoof for the reception 

 of the shoe, this part is easily distinguished by its lighter 

 color (in a dark hoof), and by its being softer and more 

 elastic than either the sole or wall, between which it is 

 situated. It would appear to be secreted by the villi 

 which terminate the lower end of the vascular laminas, 

 and the horny leaves of the wall are also received into its 

 substance — a circumstance that renders the junction 01 



