AND ON SHOEING. 295 



mical structure of the sensible parts of the foot would 

 probably be more curious than useful to either grooms 

 or smiths ; but it may be advantageous to both to give 

 a plain description of the external covering. 



The whole of the upper part of the crust, which is 

 connected or joined with the skin at the lower part of 

 the pastern, is termed the coronet ; the sides of the foot 

 are called the quarters ; and the quarters terminate in 

 the heels. The front and lower part, is the toe of the 

 hoof; this latter is the term sometimes given to the 

 external covering of the foot. The sole is of the form 

 of an arch, and situated round the bottom or under- 

 part of the foot, and has a certain limited motion 

 whenever the foot is in action. The bars are a con- 

 tinuation of the crust, — they are convex, and extend 

 along the sides of the frog. The frog is composed of 

 soft, elastic horn, is convex, of a wedge-like form, and 

 is situated in the middle of the sole, is pointed towards 

 the toe, and spreads as it advances to the heel. In the 

 centre of the broad part there is a fissure, which, when 

 diseased, is termed a thrush. It is almost unnecessary 

 for me to remark that the horny parts composing the 

 hoof, are for the defence and protection of the sensible 

 or internal parts of the foot, and should therefore, for 

 tliis purpose, be left of a certain substance. 



Authors, who have published on the Veterinary art, 

 have given various opinions with regard to the uses of 

 the frog of the horse's foot. Whatever may be the 

 functions that nature intended it should perform, it ap- 

 pears to me to be highly necessary that grooms and 



