THE FORK LIMB 



197 



The bones of the upper row, 

 enumerating them from within 

 outward, are the scaphoid, lunar, 

 cuneiform, and the pisiform be- 

 hind; those of the lower row 

 are the trapezoid, magnum, and 

 unciform. Sometimes a fourth, 

 termed the trapezium, is found 

 at the inner and posterior part 

 of the lower row. 



All these bones are united 

 by short strong ligaments. At 

 their several points of contact 

 they are covered with articular car- 

 tilage or gristle, and enclosed in 

 a synovial capsule. Altogether 

 the knee is admirably adapted, 

 by its many parts, to diffuse and 

 disperse concussion, and at the 

 same time for the performance 

 of that high and free action so 

 much admired by connoisseurs. 



METACARPAL BONES 



These are three in number, 

 and are distinguished as the large 

 metacarpal bone, which occupies 

 the centre, and two smaller ones 

 at the sides. 



Os Metacarpi Magnum 



(fig. 303), or large metacarpal, 

 or canon bone, extends from the 

 knee to the fetlock joint, which it 

 assists in forming. It is rounded 

 in front, flattened behind, and 

 very dense and strong through- 

 out. Its superior extremity ar- 

 ticulates with the lower row of 

 knee bones, and in front, below 

 the articulation, towards the inner 



Fig. 302. Fore Leg from the Radios 



1 Radius. * Radio-carpal Joint. 3 Pisiform. Cunei- 

 form. 5 Lunar. 6 Unciform. 7 Os Magnum. 8 Small 

 Metacarpal Bone. 9 Large Metacarpal Bone. "> Sesamoid 

 Bone. " Fetlock Joint. " Suffraginis or First Phalanx. 

 13 Superior Pastern Joint. 14 Os Coronse or Second 

 Phalanx. 15 Navicular Bone. 18 Pedal Joint. " Os 

 Pedis or Third Phalanx. 



