THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 39 



The Limbs in General. — The bony sections which com- 

 pose the limbs are destined both for the support of the trunk 

 and for its transport during progression. This double purpose 

 marks a distinction between the fore and hind members. The 

 front limbs, being nearest the center of gravity, have to sustain 

 most of the body weight, and are therefore specially organized 

 for this service. Thus, the scapula, or shoulder-bone, is at- 

 tached only by muscles to the trunk, and the weight transmitted 

 through them passes to the vertical bones of the leg below, 

 which sustain the pressure without muscular assistance, but 

 when it is finally thrown on the oblique bones of the foot, at 

 the angle of the fetlock, nature has provided strong muscular 

 bands for their support and maintenance. 



The hind limbs more especially play the part of propelling 

 agents in the locomotory acts, and are joined in an angular 

 manner to the different regions and by direct bony connection 

 of the pelvis with the vertebral column, as may be seen by 

 glancing at the skeleton, Fig. 2. Muscular agency is there- 

 fore necessary to support these columns, but notwithstanding 

 the difference in functions assigned these limbs, they offer 

 striking resemblances to each other, and what remains to be 

 said of one is to be considered applicable alike to all. 



The Foot in General. — The limits of this region are cus- 

 tomarily held to extend from the lower end of the cannon or 

 shank-bone, to the coffin- or pedal-bone, inclusive, possessing 

 the elements of a single digit inclosed in one hoof. Approach- 

 ing a little nearer, we will proceed with the subject, from 

 within to without, by first glancing at the parts contained in 

 the hoof, returning afterward to a description of the horny 

 case itself. 



The parts contained in the hoof may be given thus : 1. The 

 pedal- or coffin-bone, and the navicular-bone, and the lower end 

 of the small pastern, forming the articulation of the foot. 2. 



