INTRODUCTION. xxiii 



the Ffil/opiait, are two oval bodies, smaller than the testicles in 

 the male, named the ovaries, or female testicles, in which it is 

 now ascertained the germ or first rudiments of the forthcoming 

 foetus are generated. The organs of the female are set in action 

 hy the stimulus of excitation they receive from the seminal fluid 

 of the nmle ; and the result of a long, tedious, and mysterious 

 jDrocess is, a foetus — a prototype of its parents. 



Covering all and clothing all, we have the skin with its coat of 

 hair ; which two parts, along with the cellular membrane and fat, 

 we have ranged in a system we have denominated the tegu- 

 MENTAL. The cellular membrane itself may be regarded in the 

 light of an inlenial covering to the body ; for it clothes or lines 

 the inner surface of the skin, being the medium of connexion 

 between the common integuments and the parts subjacent. The 

 fat likewise is much intermingled with the cellular membrane, 

 and answers the purpose of a covering ; as well as that of filling 

 up vacuities and interstices, and giving a degree of rotundity and 

 beauty to the form which the animal would much lack without it. 



Lastly, comes under our notice the system to which we have 

 prefixed the epithet of plantar; meaning thereby to denote, 

 that it embraces the four feet — the pedestals upon which repose 

 and move the four limbs or columns of support. Though plain and 

 unobtrusive in their outward aspect, the feet will be found to 

 exhibit an internal mechanism worthy of the study and medita- 

 tion of a medical philosopher of the highest pretensions : indeed, 

 we are hardly going beyond our warranty in asserting, that in 

 no part of any animal shall we find a structure exhibiting more 

 beauty of design than is displayed in the anatomy of the horse's 

 foot. In addition to this consideration, however, we, as veteri- 

 narians, are enjoined, by an imperative duty consequent upon its 

 importance in a pathological point of view, to examine this part 

 with more than ordinary solicitude ; thereby, not only that we 

 may obtain a more correct insight into the nature of its diseases, 

 but be enabled to exercise a scientific controul over the mechani- 

 cal operations of the farrier. 



