73 



" Below the fetlock, these nerves, like the arteries, are termed 

 the plantar, and they pursue a similar course, on either side, on 

 the borders of the flexor tendons, and a little behind the arter- 

 ies, and descending within the lateral cartilages, enter the fora- 

 men in the cavity of the coffin bone, in company with the artery, 

 and distribute their ramifications through the foramina of the 

 bone to the sole. In this course the following branches are 

 given off : 



" i. Just below the fetlock, an important branch, which runs 

 obliquely forward to the lateral cartilages, where it is dispersed 

 in the numerous ramifications, some of them external to the 

 net work of veins, so that we can seldom bleed at this part 

 without dividing a small nerve. 



" 2. A large branch is given off, just before the nerve reaches 

 the lateral cartilage, which proceeding backwards, enters the 

 substance of the frog. 



"3. Still lower down, a branch winds forward through the 

 foramen in the wings of the cofin bone, and supplies the lam- 

 inae. 



v ' The nerves that supply the coronary ligament are derived 

 from the external metacarpal nerve." 



IS THE EQUINE FOOT AN ORGAN OF SPECIAL SENSATION? 



There are some reasons, I think, for the belief that the foot 

 of the horse is not only the subject of common sensation, but is 

 also endowed with such an extremely delicate and special or- 

 ganization as to entitle it to be considered as an organ of 

 special as well as common sensation. The existence, however, of 

 any special sense of this nature in the foot of the horse is one 

 of inference rather than of positive demonstration ; but it is 

 an inference, I think, that is justified by reason and analogy, 

 and, perhaps, by experience. 



As to reason : That the foot should possess a special faculty 

 of feeling, or sensation of touch upon its plantar surface, the 

 part in contact with the ground when standing or during loco- 

 motion, in order to harmonize its internal functions with its ex- 



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