BONES OF THE HORSE. 35 



The pelvis of the back limbs is formed by the union of the 

 sacrum and the two ossa innominata or coxfe, making for the 

 double region 2 bones. — The thigh has for its base one bone — 

 the femur — 2 for the double region. — The leg has for its base 3 

 bones — the tibia, fibula, and patella — making 6 for the double 

 region. — The hindfoot bears a great resemblance to the same 

 reo^ion in front : 6 bones form the tarsus or hock — the astra^a- 

 lus, calcis, cuboid, scaphoid, great cuneiform, and small cunei- 

 form — making 12 for the double region. — The bones of the 

 metatarsus or shank are three in number — the cannon and two 

 splints — making 6 for the double region. — The bones of the foot 

 or digital region behind are the same in number and name as 

 those described for this region before — two sesamoids, two 

 pasterns, navicular, and coffin- or pedal-bone — making 12 for 

 the double region. • 



There are four bones in each ear, and the tongue is made 

 up in five sections. Summing up, therefore, we find the bones 

 of the horse distributed in the manner indicated in the following 

 table : 



Bones Enumerated, — Spine or vertebral column (entire 

 length, but counting the sacral as one bone — the 



sacrum), ......... 48 



Thorax or chest, 37 



Head — cranium, face, ears, and tongue, . . . .41 



Shoulders, forearm and foot — double regions, . . 40 



Pelvis, thigh, hindleg and foot — double regions, . . 40 



Teeth, ^ . . . 40 



Total, . 246 



Fig. 2 shows the skeleton of the horse with the bones in 

 their totality and natural relation to each other enumerated and 

 described. 



