105 



Fig. 68. 



2. Bones of the 



Tlieso bones are tliroo in number, a median and two lateral, and offer tlio 

 livatest analogy to the metaearpal bones. This enables us to dispense \vit!i 

 a general description of them, and to confine ourselves only to indicating 

 tin- differential characters which distinguish them from the corresponding 

 bones iu the anterior limb. 



Tho principal, or median mctatarsal bone, is longer than the same 

 m tacarpal, and its body, instead of being slightly compressed before and 

 liohind, is nearly a regular cylinder. It presents out- 

 wardly a fissure which is directed at first obliquely 

 backwards and downwards, and afterwards descends 

 vertically along the lateral external metatarsal bone. 

 Tlu: articular surface of the superior extremity is ex- 

 cavated in its centre by a large fossa of insertion. The 

 inferior extremity is at the same time wider and thicker 

 than that of the metacarpus. 



Of the two rudimentary (digital) or lateral metatarsal 

 bones, the external is always longest and thickest. The 

 internal bears on the superior face of its head three 

 articular facets, two of which respond to the small 

 cuneiform, and the third to the large bone of that name. 



3. Bones of the Digital Region. 



The digital region of the posterior closely resembles 

 that of the anterior limb. The analogy in the con- 

 formation of these bones is even pushed so far, that 

 it becomes very difficult to distinguish them from one 

 another. 



It is remarked, nevertheless : 1, That the first pha- 

 lanx is not so long as in the anterior limb, and less 

 wide and thick at its inferior extremity, but is, on the 

 contrary, wider and thicker at its superior extremity ; 2, 

 That the lateral diameter of the second phalanx is 

 shorter; 3, That the third phalanx, less spread out 

 towards its inferior border, has more the shape of a V, 

 and that its inferior face is more concave ; 4, That the POSTERIOR ASPKCT OF 

 sesamoids are less voluminous; 5, That the navicular '' K1 MI: i ATA 

 bone is shorter and narrower. ' Head of priadpd 



mctatarsal bniic ; -. 

 .'i, Kxternal anil in- 

 ternal splint bones, 

 or metatarsals of the 

 riiiliuii'iitary digits; 

 4, Rough surface for 



I (if MI>|H-H- 



sory li^. uncut : ~>. 

 Nntrifut foramen; 

 <>. Mi'l'lle ridge of 

 ini'i-rior articular 



DIFFERENTIAL CHARACTERS OF THE POSTERIOR LIMB IN 



"HIM. I II AX SOLIPED ANIMALS. 



A. PELVIS. It is remarked : 1, That in all the domesticated 



animals, with the exception of Solij>eds, the direction of the 00x10 

 is nearly horizontal; 2, That in all, except Soli]-ds, the ilium 

 tends to assume a vertical direction; ''. That in all the trans- 

 Terse diameter of the pelvis i." relatively less extensive. 



In the Ojc, Sh<'<'i/, and (tout, the space betw/en the two COXOQ 

 is scarcely so great in front as behind; the ilium i* n->t volumi- 

 nous, ami In- only three prowsses on the su|K-r.-\tern:il iliac 

 There is no furrow on the lower face of the pubis, and 

 its upper fa'-e. like that of the isehium, is very concive. Three eminences are * . 

 the IN .-ten .external angle of the ischium. In early life, t!,e ischio-puhic *\\\\\ 



- an epipiiy.snry nucleus in the middle of its inferior face. (The epipliyr-i.s' on 

 the inner Imrder of the i^-hium has been coiiMdcri-d by wine an;itoinits as an inde- 

 pt -ndi -nt bone, and dc^-ribi .1 by them as the interitrhiul bonf.) 



