LESSONS IN HORSE JUDGING. 41 



referring to the diagram, let us study the parts 

 in their order, beginning at the transparent ^ cor- 

 nea' (our watch-glass). 



The light has first of all to pass through the 

 cornea before it can pass through the hole we 

 call the 'pupil,' and if the cornea receives any 

 injury, as it often does from the whip, spots may 

 be left which will split the light or otherwise daze 

 the animal and make him shy. If, however, 

 these spots are on the outer margin and not op- 

 posite the pupil, it is plain that the light will not 

 be interfered with, or, in other words, the spots 

 are of less consequence. 



Covering the outer tunic or white of the eye, 

 there is a very dehcate membrane we have not 

 mentioned, but which holds many blood vessels. 

 This is called the 'conjunctiva,' and is that we 

 see so red when the eyes are 'bloodshot.' If a 

 hay-seed gets into the eye this membrane red- 

 dens, and the eyelids sweU and are kept closed, 

 and are suffused with tears. It is this membrane 

 that is attacked in inflammation of the eye, so 

 that you must see that it is not unduly red. In 

 such horses there is a great quantity of dark col- 

 oring matter in it, so that the white of the eye is 

 partly hidden behind it. This dark appearance is 

 quite natural. 



28. — We now come to the two most important 

 structures of the eye, and without we know a 

 •Igood deal about them we cannot judge a horse 

 thoroughly, but may be woefully cheated in pur- 

 chasing a horse where we cannot call to our aid a 

 skilled expert or veterinarian. The first of these 



