NATURAL THEOLOGY. Ill 



from being a straight line. Besides the bends about 

 midway of the hind legs, which are the limbs with 

 which the animal has most occasion to spring — there 

 is one upon eveiy leg just above the hoof, called the 

 fetlock joint. And then there is a spring even in the 

 hoof. " The flatness of the hoof, which stretches 

 out on each side, and the frog coming down in the 

 middle between the quarters, adds greatly to the 

 springiness of the foot. Ignorant smiths, by shaping 

 and fixing the shoe improperly, often deprive the 

 animal of the benefit of this provision. His foot 

 strikes the ground with an unyielding blow, and 

 inflammation and lameness at last ensue." 



B. They are not. always acquainted, it is likely, 

 with this curious structure ; but it is a pity so much 

 suffering should be occasioned for the want of a little 

 attention. 



A. This admirable mechanism of the foot, which 

 Providence has so kindly adapted to the w T ants of dif- 

 ferent animals, is strikingly exemplified in the case of 

 the reindeer. " It inhabits a country covered with 

 snow the greater part of the year, and its hoof is 

 admirably formed for going over that cold and light 

 substance without sinking into it or being frozen. 

 The under side is covered entirely with hair, of a 

 warm and close texture. And the hoof altogether is 

 very broad, acting exactly like the snow shoes which 

 men have constructed for giving them a large space tc 

 stand on their feet and thus to avoid sinking. More- 

 over, the deer spreads the hoof as wide as possible, 

 when it touches the ground, but as this breadth would 



