124 THE ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF 



licularly of inflammation of the lungs, or any of the air-passages. The cut on the 

 preceding page shows the ramilications of the blood-vessels, both arterial and venous, 

 on the membrane of the nose, it beautifully accounts for the accurate connexion 

 which we trace between the colour of the nasal membrane, and various diseases or 

 states of the circulation, liy the sore places or ulcerations discovered en this mem- 

 brane, we likewise determine respecting the existence cf glanders ; and the interposi- 

 tion of the septum is a wise and benevolent provision to hinder the spread of the 

 mischief, by cutting olf all communication with the neighbouring piirts, and also to 

 preserve one nostril pervious, when the other is diseased or cbstrucled. 'llie nasal 

 cavity is, on either side, occupied by two bones, which, from thtir being rolled up 

 somewhat in the form of a turban, are called the turbinaled or iurbun-iihapcd bones, 

 s s, p. 72 ; part of the cartilage is cut away in our cut in order to display them. They 

 are as thin as gauze, and perforated, like gauze, with a thousaiid holes. Uetueen 

 them are left sufficient passages for the air. 



If they were unrolled, they would present a very considerable surface ; and en 

 every part of tlieiu is spread ttie substance or pulp of the ofjudiiry, or first pair of 

 nerves. These bones, lined with delicate membranes, and covered by the olfactory 

 nerves, are the seat if smell ; and they are thus expanded, because the sense of smell 

 in the horse must, to a ver}' considerable degree, supply the place of the sense of 

 touch and the lessons of experience in tlie human being. iJy this alone he is enabled 

 to select, amongst the nutritive and poisonous herbage of the meadow, that which 

 would support and not destroy him. The troops of wild horses are said to smell the 

 approach of an enemy at a very considerable distance. In his domestic state, the 

 horse does not examine the difi'erent food which is placed before him with his eye, 

 but with his nose; and if the smell displeases him, no coaxing will induce him to 

 eat. He examines a stranger by the smell, and, b}' very intt^Uigible sions, expresses 

 the opinion which he forms of him by this in<iuisition. 'I'lie horse will evidently 

 recognise his favourite groom when he has nothing else to imiicate his approach but 

 the sense of smell. These cavities are likewise organs tf voice. The sound re- 

 verberates through them, and increases in loudness, as through the windings of a 

 French horn. 



'J'iie extension of the nostril at the lower part of these cavities is an important part 

 of the face, and intimately connected with breeding, courage, and speed. The horse 

 can breathe only through the nose. All the air \\ hich goes to and returns from the 

 lungs must pass through the nostrils. In the common act of breathing, these are 

 sufficiently large ; but when the animal is put on his speed, and the respiration is 

 quickened, these passages must dilate, or he v\ill be much distressed. The expanded 

 nostril is a striking feature in the blood-horse, especially when he has been excited 

 and not over-blown. The sporting man will not forget the sudden effect which is 

 given to the countenance of the hunter, when his ears become erect, and his nostrils 

 dilate as he first listens to the cry of the hounds, and snorts, and scents them afar off. 

 The painful and spasmed stretehing of this part, in the poor, over-driven post-horse, 

 will show hov,' necessary it is that the passage to the lungs should be iree and open. 

 The nostril should not only be large, but the membranous substance which covers the 

 entrance into the nose should be tliin and elastic, that it may more readily yield when 

 the necessity of the animal rc<juires a greater supply of air, and afterwjirds return to 

 its natural dimt^nsions. Therefore, nature, which adapts the animal to his situation 

 and use, has given to the cart-horse, that is seld(;m blown, a conlined nostril, and 

 surrounded by much cellular substance, and a thick skin; and to the horse of more 

 breeding, whose use consists in his speed and his continuance, a wider nostril, and 

 one much more flexible. 



The inhabitants of some countries were accustomed to slit the nostrils of tlieir 

 horses, tiiat (hey might be less liit-trossed in the severe and long-continued exertion 

 of their speed. The Icelanders do so to the present day. There is no necessity for 

 this, for nature has made ample provision for all the ordinary and even extraordinary 

 exertion we can require from the horse. 



Seine very powtnful muscles proceed from different parts of the face to the neiirhbour- 

 hood of the nostrils, in ordc r to draw them back and dilate them. Four of these are 

 given in the following cut, Avhich is inserted to complete our present subject, and which 



