54 THE HORSE. 



to the point of the arm) we find withers, 7 centimeters, 

 plus cartilage 5 centimeters, plus scapulum 38 centi- 

 meters, plus 6 centimeters of the prominence of the 

 anterior extremity of the humerus, outside its scapulo- 

 humeral articulation. Adding up these figures, we get 

 56 centimeters, which proves the shoulder to be equal 

 to the head. 



Let it be clearly understood that I do not affirm 

 that this is always the case, but I am prepared to 

 certify after numerous proofs, that when comparing the 

 length of the shoulder with that of the head, one is always 

 very nearly accurate. 



In conclusion, I would add that a fine well-inclined 

 shoulder forms, by approaching the horizontal, the 

 scapulo-humeral angle. This, on opening, causes more 

 space to be covered by the anterior limb. The reactions 

 are the more attenuated because the pasterns follow 

 the direction of the scapulum, which augments their 

 elasticity. The English select this disposition of the 

 shoulder for their race-horses. 



Arm (5, fig. 31.) The humerus forms the base of the 

 arm ; it is buried in the flesh. Its articulation with the 

 omoplate (designated under the name of the point of 

 the shoulder, and which is better termed the point of 

 the arm, since this latter evidently gives it an external 

 indication), imparts a great extension to its inferior 

 portion, which can either approach or retreat from the 

 sternum or even describe a curve. It is nevertheless 

 preferable that the humerus should always move in a 

 plane parallel to that of the axis of the body. 



It is in the lower part of the arm that the extensors 

 of the fore-arm make a very marked muscular prominence 

 in front of the elbow. 



The fore-arm (19, fig. 31), which has as its base the 

 radius, the direction of which is vertical, articulates itself 

 to the arm, and only closes over the humerus in front; 

 the radius being arrested in the rear by the olecranium 

 apophysis (elbow), it is necessary that the muscles com- 

 posing the fore-arm be strong and disengaged. The 

 radius should be lon^ in the case of race-horses and short 

 for those with measured gaits. 



At about the inferior tierce, and in the interior of the 



