THE FOOT. 



315 



The cutaneous envelope of the foot, also called the keratogenous membrane, 

 is subdivided into three important regions. These are : 



a. The coronary band or cutidure (Fig. 107, B : a) is an enlarged, cir- 

 cular band or ridge, crowning superiorly the living parts and terminating behind 



B A 



FIG. 107. A. The normal foot before maceration. B The foot after maceration. 



by a continuity with the glomes, c, of the plantar cushion. It offers along the 

 entire length of its superior border a much smaller secondary convexity, known 

 under the name of perioplic band, to which are intrusted special functions. 



It is covered over the remainder of its surface by a multitude of filamentous 

 prolongations, papillae, easily perceived when immersed in water. These pene- 

 trate, by so many foramina, the superior border of the wall. Endowed, physio- 

 logically, with the elaboration of the latter, the cutidure constitutes also, by its 

 villosities or papillae, very rich in nerve filaments, a veritable organ of tactile sen- 

 sation for the horse, which can thus recognize, with all the perfection desirable, 

 the quality of the surface upon which his foot rests. 



b. The podophyllous, laminated, or lamellar tissue (Fig. 107, B:b) 

 comprises the whole periphery of the cutaneous envelope situated below the coro- 

 nary band. This tissue, which owes its name to the numerous laminae or longi- 

 tudinal leaves which it presents, also forms a whitish, soft horn, composed of 



