X44 THE SENSORIAL FUXCnOX. 



coccygeal bones, the posterior part of the tuberosity of the ischium ; in- 

 serted into the inner, upper, and anterior part of the tibia : rotates and 



abducts the thigh. r. i -r i ■ 



Q. Tensor Vagina arises from the anterior spine of the ihum, and is 

 inserted into the trochanter minor externus of the femur, the fascia of the 

 haunch and the patella ; it advances the leg and tightens the fascia of the 

 baunch. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE SENSORIAL FUNCTION. 



Beautiful as is the horse, and identified so much with our pleasure and 

 our profit, he has been the object of almost universal regard ; and there 

 are few persons who do not pretend to be somewhat competent judges of 

 his form, qualities, and worth. From the nobleman with his numerous 

 and valuable stud, to the meanest helper in the stable, there is scarcely a 

 man who would not be offended if he were thought altogether ignorant of 

 horse-flesh. There is no subject on which he is so positive ; there is no 

 subject on which, generally speaking, he is so deficient ; and there are few 

 horses, on some points of which these pretended and self-sufficient judges 

 would'not give a totally opposite opinion. 



The truth is, that this supposed knowledge is rarely founded on prin- 

 ciple— or is the result of the sHghtest acquaintance with the actual struc- 

 ture of the animal, the form and connection- of parts on which strength, or 

 fleetness, or stoutness must necessarily depend. 



In speaking of the structure of this animal, and the points which guide 

 the opinion of real judges of him, we shall, as briefly and as simply as we 

 are able explain those fundamental principles on which his usefulness 

 and beauty must depend. We require one kind of horse for slow and 

 heavy drau<^ht, and another for lighter and quicker work ; one as a plea- 

 sant and safe roadster— another, with more speed and equal continuance, 

 as a hunter— and another still is wanted for the race-course. What is 

 the peculiarity of structure— what are the particular pomts that wdl fit 

 each for his proper business, and, to a certain degree, unfit him for every- 

 thino- else ? The farmer w411 require a horse of all-work, that can carry 

 him to market and take him round his farm -on which he can occasion- 

 ally ride for pleasure, and which he must sometimes degrade to the dung- 

 cart or the harrow. ^Vliat combination of powers ^vill enable the ammal 

 to discharge most of these duties well, and all of them to a certain extent 



^^Much time spent among horses, an acquired love of them, and a little, 

 somethnes possibly too deariy-bought, experience, may give the agi^cul- 

 turist some insight into these matters. We will try whether we cannot 

 assist him in this affair— whether we cannot explain to him the reason 

 svhy certain points must be good, and why a horse Avithout them must of 

 necessity be good for nothing. Perhaps some useful rules may thus be 

 more deeply impressed upon his memory, or some common but dangerous 

 prejudices may be discarded, and considerable degree of error, disappoint- 

 ment, and expense avoided. ,,,.,-, , j . i, x ^i 



If we treat of this at considerable length, let it be remembered that the 

 horse is our noblest servant, and that, in describing the structure and 

 economy of his frame, we are in a great measure describing that of other 

 doraestic quadi-upeds, and shall hereafter have to speak only of points of 



