SUPERIOR FACE OF THE BODY. Ill 



head, it protects the eyes from insects and excess of light. It acts, 

 perhaps, also as a protection to the organs contained within the cranial 

 cavity against the solar rays, and in horses much exposed to the sun its 

 removal is injudicious. 



The mane and the forelock sometimes attain extraordinary dimen- 

 sions. We have seen well-bred and common horses in which the former 

 descended to the level of the knees and the latter to the jnferior 

 extremity of the nose. With certain exceptions, these appendages 

 are not allowed to reach so great a length ; they are dressed by 

 means of a comb or a brush. Sometimes it is desirable to render the 

 mane, which was primitively double, single. This may be accomplished 

 by removing a portion of the hairs by extracting them with the curry- 

 comb and continually brushing those remaining to the same side, the 

 right or the left, as may be desired, according to the fancy of the 

 owner. If, instead of proceeding as we have just indicated, scissors 

 were employed to remove the superabundant hairs, these would again 

 grow and remain straight. We have known a horse which, in conse- 

 quence of the want of skill of the person who had arranged the mane, 

 had the latter falling to the right, while on the left the hairs were upright 

 like a brush, giving them a very ungraceful appearance. 



B. The Withers. 



Situation ; Limits ; Anatomical Base. The withers com- 

 prise a single region situated on the superior face of the trunk, behind 

 the crest of the neck, in front of the back, and between the two shoulders. 



This region has for its anatomical base the five or six dorsal vertebrae which 

 follow the first. Their summits, enlarged and tuberous, support a nucleus of 

 permanent cartilage, to which are attached the corresponding portions of the 

 nuchal and dorso-lumbar ligaments, very much widened. 



On each side are the cartilages of prolongation of the scapula, and the 

 muscles to which it gives attachment. The spinous processes offer a large surface 

 laterally for the attachment of the trapezius, the rhomboideus, the splenius, the 

 great and small complexi, the small anterior serrated, the ilio-spinalis, and the 

 transverse spinous muscles, arranged in so many superposed layers. 



The anatomical complexity and elevated situation of the withers 

 afford an explanation of the gravity of wounds and diseases of this 

 locality. The superposition of the muscles allows of easy filtration 

 of pus into the surrounding parts. 



Beauties and Defects. The beauties of the withers reside in 

 the/orm, elevation, extent, and freedom from blemishes thereof. 



1 . Form. This qualification indicates that they should be well out- 

 lined, and that the summit should be formed only by the tissues which 



