118 LECTURES OX EVOLUTION in 



corresponds with that of the human hand, con- 

 tains one overgrown middle digit, and at least 

 two imperfect lateral digits ; and these answer, re- 

 spectively, to the third, the second, and the fourth 

 fingers in man. 



Corresponding modifications are found in the 

 hind limb. In ourselves, and in most quadrupeds, 

 the leg contains two distinct bones, a large bone, 

 the tibia, and a smaller and more slender bone, 

 the fibula. But, in the horse, the fibula seems, 

 at first, to be reduced to its upper end ; a short 

 slender bone united with the tibia, and ending in 

 a point below, occupying its place. Examination 

 of the lower end of a young foal's shin-bone, how- 

 \vr, shows a distinct portion of osseous matter, 

 which is the lower end of the fibula ; so that the, 

 apparently single, lower end of the shin-bone is 

 r. ally made up of the coalesced ends of the tibia 

 and fibula, just as the, apparently single, lower 

 end of the fore-arm bone is composed of the coal- 

 esced radius and ulna. 



The heel of the horse is the part commonly 

 known as the hock. The hinder cannon bom- 

 ansirm to the middle metatarsal bone of- the 

 human loot, the pastern, coronary, and mttin 

 bonus, to the middle toe bones ; the hind hoof to 

 the nail ; as in the fore-foot. And, as in the fore- 

 foot, then- an- mnvly two splints to represent tin- 

 second and tin- fourth toes. Sometimes a rudi- 

 ni.-nt nf a fifth !< appears to be tnuvahlr. 



