66 OSTEOLOGY OF THE HORSE. 



THE MIDDLE CUNEIFORM BONE. (oS CUNEIFORME MEDIUM). 



Situation — Underneath the large cuneiform ; upon the hind 

 cannon bone. — Figure and Division, the same as the large bone. • 

 Superior Siiid inferior surfaces, also similar: the former articu- 

 lates with the large bone ; the latter with the hind cannon bone. — 

 The salient angle, behind, is sharper and more projecting: near 

 its point, externally, is a small surface for articulation with the 

 cuboid. 



THE SMALL CUNEIFORM BONE. (oS CUNEIFORME PARVUM.) 



Situation — Postero-internal part of the hock. Figure — small : 

 irregular. 



Connexion — Superiorly, it articulates with the internal angle 

 of the large cuneiform ; anteriorly, with the same angle of the 

 middle cuneiform ; below, principally, with the internal hind splint 

 bone ; partly, also, with the hind cannon bone. 



THE METATARSAL, HIND CANNON, OR SHANK BONE. 

 (OS METATARSI MAGNUiM.) 



As the cannon bone of the fore leg is said to be a match for 

 one of the longest metacarpal bones found in the human hand ; 

 so this bone, in comparative anatomy, is regarded as a fellow of 

 one of the metatarsal bones which compose the foot, although it 

 is, in the horse, the bone of the hind leg. It so nearly resembles 

 the fore cannon bone, that the two, at first sight, appear to be pre- 

 cisely alike : there are differences, however, between them, and, in 

 particular, three : — 1st, The bone of the hind leg is longer by 

 about one-sixth part than the bone of the fore leg ; 2dly, the 

 body of the former is rounder and more prominent anteriorly than 

 that of the latter ; 3dly, the superior articulatory surfaces are 

 different ; one being such as is adapted to the middle and small 

 cuneiform and cuboid bones; the other accommodates the inferior 

 row of the bones composing the knee. 



The PASTERN, SESAMOID, CORONET, COFFIN, and NAVICU- 

 LAR BONES of the hind extremity, so closely resemble their fellows 

 ill the fore, that the description already given of the latter, will be 

 found to answer here. 



APPENDAGES TO THE HEAD ; 

 To wit, the os hyoides and the teeth. 



THE OS HYOIDES 



Consists of a frame-work of small bones, connected together by 

 ligament, situated between the larynx and the root of the tongue. 

 Division — Into five pieces: body, and four horns. 



