HUNTERS 



fibre grows. The sensitive frog^ or foot-pad, is 

 moulded upon the insensitive or horny one, to 

 which it corresponds, and from its papillae the 

 horny structure (frog) is formed. The coronary 

 band, as previously stated, encircles the upper 

 border of the hoof, forming the projection, or 

 collar, so plainly manifest. The principal vessel 

 supplying this structure is the coronary artery. 

 Inside the hoof is the pedal bone, which, in 

 form, is a replica of the hoof. This bone is 

 composed of dense compact tissue, but it has 

 certain peculiarities which serve to distinguish 

 it from all other bones of the skeleton. It is 

 remarkable for the large number of minute 

 openings, or foramina, which serve for the 

 passage of blood-vessels into the interior of 

 the bone, and to supply the sensitive laminae 

 covering its face. Below, the pedal bone is 

 moulded upon the inner surface of the horny 

 sole, and covered by a soft velvety tissue — the 

 sensitive sole, from which, as previously stated, 

 the insensitive sole is produced.. The backward 

 prolongations of the pedal bone are termed 

 the alae or wings, attached to which are the 

 lateral cartilages — two thin flexible plates of 



92 



