882 POINTS. 



large bone, variously named in common parlance as the haunch -bone or 

 the pelvic-bone. It is also spoken of by anatomists as the os innomi- 

 nata. This large bone joins the spine at the hips, and thus lends sup- 

 port to the posterior region. But the vertebrae, immediately before the 

 hips, are aided by no such accessory. The loins stand alone, or are 

 placed entirely without support. This part of the body merely consists 

 of certain bones, over which and under which run thick layers or solid 

 masses of muscular fiber. 



THE BACK-BONE OF THE HORSE 



A thorough comprehension of the osseous weakness apparent in the 

 skeleton of the loins must convince the reader of the absolute necessity 

 which exists for some compensating agency, so as to fit the back for its 

 burden. The loins therefore should be bulky or muscular. They can- 

 not be too large ; but may easily be the reverse. Small loins or weakly 

 loins admit of no compensation. The author does not remember an 

 instance where such a formation was not associated with mean quarters ; 

 whereas he does not recollect a case where size, in this region, was not 

 evidence of general strength and of remarkable vigor. The position of 

 the part is peculiar. It is intermediate and lies between the haunches, 

 which are the propelling powers, and the thorax, which region is formed 

 to endure, to support, or to uphold what the back carries. All inter- 

 mediate structures demand strength ; because such a position exposes 

 the part to the full impulse of adjacent force, its office being simply to 

 transmit that impetus which it directly receives. Accordingly, the 

 development of the loins, both in man and in horse, may be cited as the 

 best proof of the vital power which resides within the frame. 



The loins, to evidence the transmitting office peculiar to this region, 

 receive and convey onward the propelling force of the quarters. So, 

 when the body is suddenly checked, the loins have to master the first 

 energy of the onward impetus, or have to endure the full violence of the 

 sudden arrestation of the forward motion in both the animal and its 



