272 



circulation, animal heat sustained, and the internal organs kept free 

 from congestive disorders. From this, it will be seen that clipping 

 acts as a splendid tonic, fully equal — in fact, superior — to an extra 

 feed of corn per day. 



655. Hoofs, Horns, and Claws are appendages pertaining to the 

 skin. The hoof or horny box, protects and shields the sensitive parts 

 of the foot, and is secreted by the coronary band (pars. 168 and 169). 

 Horns, seen on the sides of the forehead of many animals, are 

 modifications of the skin ; they differ very much in shape, size, and 

 colour. A horn has a base, body, and point, and is secreted by a fine 

 vascular membrane, which covers the horn core, and forms a circular 

 pad in connection with the skin at the base. The rings formed at the 

 base of the cow's horn are looked upon by many as an indication of the 

 age of the animal ; the first ring is supposed to make its appearance 

 about the age of three years, a new ring being formed each succeeding 

 year. These rings are often rasped out, and rubbed down with 

 sand-paper and oil, to give the animal a more youthful appearance. 

 The bony projection, or horn core, is made up internally of cavities, 

 interspersed with thin beams of bone, which give to it both strength 

 and lightness. Claws are formed in a manner analogous to that in 

 which hoofs and horns are produced. 



656. Skin Diseases are numerous, and of great variety, and may 

 be classed under three heads : — 



I . — Inflammatory. 



2. — Non-Inflammatory. 



3. — Parasitic. 



