72 



of the coffin, pastern, and navicular bones, it is ex- 

 pedient to add that the first is a triangular-shaped 

 bone that occupies the interior of the foot, in a 

 position corresponding with the inclination of the 

 hoof ; the smaller pastern is a bone directly above 

 it, and articulating into its upper surface ; and the 

 navicular bone is a small bone which lies behind 

 the articulation of the coffin and smaller pastern, 

 and assists in forming what is called the coffin- 

 joint. Their relative position in the foot may be 

 collected from this figure, but it is hopeless to 



convey a correct idea of them without the aid of 

 a preparation ; and almost every veterinary surgeon 

 will give a more accurate knowledge of them in 

 five minutes, by the assistance of his specimens, 

 than the most elaborate written explanation can 

 effect. 



To complete this general description of the foot, 



