

HOESE and MAN. 



CHAPTER I. 



The hoof as distinct from the foot — Dependence of one part on the 

 others — Skeleton of the horse — Story of ' Orlando ' — Use of scientific 

 language — The spine and the limbs — The legs of the horse com- 

 pared with the limbs of man — Gradual development of the horse — 

 The anchitherium and hipparion — Structure of the fore-limb, or arm 

 — Rotation of the fore-arm prevented — Small size of the original 

 horse — An eight-hoofed horse — Hind legs of the horse compared 

 with the legs of man — The true knee of the horse — Elasticity of the 

 structure. 



We will begin with the foot. This may seem simple 

 enough, but it is really a question of great com- 

 plexity. 



In the first place I suppose that at least ninety- 

 nine persons out of a hundred take for granted that 

 the hoof and the foot are identical, and that the 

 former is a solid lump of hard horn, upon which 

 an iron shoe can be nailed, in order to protect it 

 against artificial roads. They also have a vague 

 idea that the hoof is an isolated portion of the horse's 

 frame, and has no definite connection with any other 

 part. 



B 



