I ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. ' 



may be said to be represented by the perpendicular line extend- 

 ed through the middle of the square : the angular position of 

 these bones renders their motions more extensive and facile, at 

 the same time that they, so placed, present convenient and 

 powerful levers for the operation of the muscles. Furthermore, 

 the bones forming the limbs are, superiorly, lengthy and fevv^ in 

 number ; whereas, below the fetlock, they are small and consist 

 of several pieces : the rationale of which is, that the long bones 

 are well adapted for extent of motion; the short ones, for re- 

 sistance and multiplicity of movements. The head and neck 

 operate as a burden, in addition to half of the trunk, upon the 

 fore limbs; although the hind limbs appear the greatest and 

 most capable of resistance : this apparent incongruity is remov- 

 ed when we come to learn that the latter constitute the power- 

 ful engines of progression. 



Of the multiplicity and variety of pieces or distinct bones of 

 which the skeleton is composed, most are found to be double, 

 or to exist in pairs ; such are the ribs, most of the bones of 

 the head, and all those of the limbs : there are however several 

 single bones ; and these may be regarded as the key-stones of 

 the fabric, iDeing in reality the media through which the 

 two lateral halves of the skeleton (composed of the bones in 

 pairs) are united together into one entire structure. In this 

 arrangement, the symmetry of the whole is preserved most 

 completely, even as completely as if every bone had had a 

 fellow ; since both sides or longitudinal halves of the single 

 bones exactly correspond. 



The bones so far influence and determine the form of the soft 

 parts that in very many (perhaps the majority of) instances, 

 the animal is recognised in the appearance of the skeleton ; in 

 other examples however this is not so remarkable ; in all the re- 

 semblance can be traced only in certain parts. In general, the 

 head, chest, and legs — below the knees and hocks, present 

 striking outlines of the same parts in the living animal ; where- 

 as, the neck, loins, arms, and haunches, have few or no points 

 of similitude. 



Division. THE SKELETON is composed of 238 bones, 

 and is divided into trunk, head, and extremities. 



The Trunk is subdivided into spine, thorax, and pelvis. 



The Head comprises the cranium and thejace. 



The Extremities are four in number: two fore and two 

 hind. 



