92 THE STOCK OWNEe's ADVISER. 



sternal attachment, are known as false ribs. The sternum is con- 

 structed of seven bones, united by cartilage in the young animal 

 and by partial ossification in the adult. 



MUSCLES AND TENDONS. 



The muscles are the active organs of motion, or of locomotion. 

 They contain a specific contractile substance termed muscular 

 tissue, together with areolar and fibrous tissue, and a certain 

 amount of fatty material; they are also furnished with nerves, 

 blood vessels, and absorbents. They constitute the chief bulk 

 of the soft parts outside the three great cavities of the body — 

 the cranial, thoracic, and abdominal. They are composed of 

 numerous little strings or contractile fibers, which are either col- 

 lected into bundles connected at their extremities, or they help 

 to form the walls of the hollow viscera; for example, the blad- 

 der, stomach, etc. The muscles are very extensile — i. e., capable 

 of being extended or stretched; when one set of muscles con- 

 tract the opposing muscles are extended. They possess very little 

 elasticity, but that little is very perfect, as they return rapidly 

 and perfectly to their original length. The muscles of the body 

 are always in a state of extension — i. e., always slightly stretched. 

 When a stimulus is applied to the muscle it responds by con- 

 tracting. This contractibility is the characteristic property of 

 muscle. One form of muscular tissue is known as striated or 

 voluntary, the contractions and relaxations being controlled by 

 the will of the animal. In another varietv the non-striated or 

 involuntary action is beyond the control of the will. The mus- 

 cles grow and become firmer in substance from exercise. If, 

 however, the exercise be excessive, after growing to a certain 

 extent, they will waste. We have atrophy from disuse and 

 atrophy from overuse. Fattening the animal does not increase 

 his muscles or his strength; nothing but the adipose or fatty 

 matter is increased. This gives the parts a full and rounded 

 appearance, so much admired in the horse, and also covers up 

 many serious defects. The accumulation of fat, when excessive, 



