ANATOMY OF OX'S FOOT. 419 



elaw. The extensor pedis becomes the exteusor of the inner 

 claw and also acts in connnon on both claws. 



• The arrangement of tlie Hexor pedis perforans and perforatus 

 tendons is rather more complicated than in the horse. Suffice 

 it, however, for our purpose to say that the tendon of the 

 superficial flexor perforatus of the toe forms a sheath for the 

 tendon of the deep flexor (perforans). Tliis sheath divides on 

 either side, forming a kind of channel, which surrounds each 

 limb of the deep flexor after its division. The tendons of the 

 superficial flexor, which are pierced by those of the deep flexor 

 near the upper end of the suffraginis bone, become inserted 

 into the lower end of the suffraginis, and (chiefly) the supero- 

 posterior part of the coronet bone of either claw. Each of two 

 limbs of the tendon of the deep flexor of the toe (perforans 

 tendon) is attached to the postero-inferior surface of its 

 respective pedal bone. 



The tendons of the flexor muscles are held in place by a 

 tendino-ligamentous apparatus and by strong transverse liga- 

 ments. The limbs of the flexor pedis tendons are also supported 

 by the cruciform inter-digital ligaments. 



As already stated, lateral cartilages and plantar cushion are 

 absent in the ox. 



In relation to the blood-vessels it should be noted that in 

 the fore-foot the main artery passes from behind forwards 

 between the two after-claws towards the cleft of the foot, 

 whilst that passing down the anterior surface of the great 

 metacarpal runs in an opposite direction, that is, backwards, 

 towards the same space. The inner digital arteries are far 

 laroer than the outer. The veins do not form such rich 

 plexuses as in the horse. 



The digital nerves in their general distribution resemble 

 those of the horse. 



With a few exceptions the protective structures of the 

 terminal digits correspond with those of the horse. The skin 

 is specially modified as in the latter to form a honi-secreting 

 structure in which a perioplic band, coronary band, sensitive wall 

 and sensitive sole may be distinguished ; the sensitive frog is 

 absent. The perioplic band lies between the skin and coronary 

 band and surrounds each toe like a ring. Posteriorly it becomes 

 much broader and forms slight bulbs, which may be connected 



