THE SHOE. 67 



is pretty well supported, as well as the whole of the wall, 

 by the wider surface of metal above, while the narrow 

 surface toward the ground affords security of tread. 



For general purposes this is an excellent form of shoe, 

 but to make it still more efficient I devised a modification 

 of it some years ago, which is an exact reproduction in 

 iron of the ground-surface of this part of the hoof; it has 

 been employed on the road and in the field with most 

 satisfactory results both on the fore and hind feet. 



In this shoe (Fig. 13), instead of the bevel on the 



Fig. 13. 



ground - surface gradually become shallower as it ap- 

 proaches the heels, as in the ordinary hunting-shoe, it be- 

 comes deeper, until, within an inch or two of the ex- 

 tremity of the branch, it has cut down through the thick- 

 ness of the inner border ; it then abruptly ceases, leaving 

 a sharp catch on each side that, like the inflexion of the 

 wall at this part (Fig. 5, d d), affords an excellent grip, 

 which moreover lasts until the shoe is quite worn out. 

 With a modification of this kind, three important objects 

 are secured: 1. The plane upper surface, resting flat and 

 solidly on the crust and unpared sole, leaves no space in 

 which foreign bodies — as clay, stones, or gravel — may 

 lodge, and in heavy ground suction is lessened. 2. The 

 metal is only removed from the parts where it can be best 

 spared, and where there is least wear ; consequently the 



