74 OSTEOLOGY OF THE HORSE. 



called, I imagine, because the sesamoid bones seem to be sus- 

 pended by it) is, perhaps, the strongest in the whole body, and is 

 remarkable for jts high degree of elastic property. It takes root, 

 superiorly, in a projection at the upper and back part of the 

 cannon, whence it passes, inclosed within a cellular sheath, be- 

 tween the splint bones, tilling up their interspace. Opposite to 

 about the terminations of these small bones, it splits into two di- 

 visions, which, diverging in their descent, become implanted into 

 the lateral and posterior parts of the sesamoid bones, and into the 

 fibro-cartilagiuous substance uniting them. From the places of 

 implantation, two lateral slips are continued from it downward 

 and forward to join the extensor tendon. Between the suspen- 

 sory ligament and the joint, enveloped in adipose membrane, 

 are some large bursa tnucosa. In composition and texture, this 

 ligament possesses peculiarities : it has a sanguineous tinge inte- 

 riorly, which is not perceptible in other ligaments or in tendons ; 

 and its fibres, which are very coarse, are disposed in layers. But 

 its chief peculiarity consists in its exhibiting an intertexture of de- 

 licate, pinky, //esAy fibres, which appear to be the uniting me- 

 dium of the ligamentous fasciculi, b, The long inferior ligament 

 runs from the bases of the sesamoid bones, along the back of the 

 pastern bone, to the upper extremity of the coronet bone, where 

 it expands over the posterior part of the pastern joint, c, The 

 short inferior ligament arises, by two portions, also from the bases 

 of the sesamoid bones, where it is in part concealed from view by 

 the former : it is implanted, a little lower down than the long one, 

 into a well-marked angular asperity on the back of the pastern 

 bone, c, Two external lateral ligaments are extended from the 

 outer projecting angles of the sesamoid bones ; one to the cannon 

 bone, the other to the pastern, d, Two crucial ligaments, si- 

 tuated underneath the interior ligaments. They run, decussating- 

 each other, from the bases of the sesamoid bones to the upper 

 and posterior or projecting parts of the pastern bone. 



Pasteun-joint. — The condyloid eminences, terminating the 

 inferior extremity of the pastern bone, fit into corresponding de- 

 pressions upon the upper end of the coronet bone, the opposing 

 surfaces being covered with cartilage. The articulation is fur- 

 nished with — 1st, Capsular membrane infolding the smooth carti- 

 laginous ends of the bones, and firmly inherent into their borders : 

 it is also interwoven with the extensor tendon, which passes over 

 it in front, and behind becomes inseparably united with the infe- 

 rior sesamoid ligaments. 2d, Long lateral ligaments, rooted in 

 rough surfaces on the sides of the pastern, whence they proceed 

 to the coronet bone. 3d, Short lateral ligaments, broader and 

 stronger than the former, are attached anteriorly to them, to the 



