THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 4i 



On the Inside of the thigh, forming that fleshy prominence so 

 perceptible in muscular horses, and -which often causes the 

 thighs to touch each other, we find four muscles. The first is 

 a long slender muscle, attached above to the lumbar vertebrae 

 and the bones of the pelvis, and below to the lower part of the 

 femur and upper and inner part of the tibia. It assists in bend- 

 ing the leg inwards, and is called the sartorius, which signifies a 

 tailoi', being supposed to be greatly employed by tailors when 

 sitting cross-legged on a board. A thin broad muscle, super- 

 ficially placed, is attached above to the pubes, and below to the 

 former muscle. 



A third muscle, short and thick, is attached to the pnbes above, 

 and the femur below ; and the fourth is a double muscle, attached 

 also above to the pubes and below to the femur. 



The fifth is a powerful muscle, attached above to the bones of 

 the sacrum, and the ischium, and below to the lower and inner 

 part of the femur, and upper and inner part of the tibia. 



The outer part of the haunch is formed by two double muscles ; 

 one is denominated the hicejjs, and is attached above to the 

 sacrum, the bones of the tail, and the ischium ; and below, one 

 portion to the patella, and the other to the upper part of the 

 tibia. This large muscle is particularly conspicuous in thorough- 

 bred horses, and forms the outermost part of the quarter. Its 

 large development is deservedly admired, and is justly considered 

 a sign of breed. 



The other muscle is situated behind the former, forming the 

 most posterior part of the quarter ; it is well developed, and ex- 

 ternally perceptible ; and the space between it and the former 

 muscle is denominated the poor mark, being, of course, well 

 marked in lean horses, and imperceptible in fat ones : it is 

 attached above to the same bones as the former muscle, and 

 below to the upper, anterior, and inner part of the tibia. These 

 muscles raise the limb and abduct it. 



The muscles of the thigh and leg are divided into three regions, 

 one in front, and two behind. The anterior is occupied by three 

 muscles, two of which extend the foot, and at the same time flex 

 the hock. The first is attached above to the femur, becomes 

 tendinous above the hock, where it passes through a sheath, and 

 takes its course in front of the shank and the pasterns, and is in- 

 serted into the front part of the coffin bone. The second muscle 

 rises from the fibula, and joins the former below the hock. The 

 third is attached above to both the femur and the tibia, and 

 below, after passing through a sheath in front of the hock, to 

 both the cannon and the inner splint bone. 



The two regions behind the tibia are distinguished as the 

 superficial and the deep-seated : the former is occupied by three 

 muscles, the first of which is attached above to the lower part of 



