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NATURAL HISTORY. 



is a bone termed the splint. These splints are in fact rudimentary metacarpal and metatarsal 

 bones. The cannon bones run in a direction vertically downwards, and in the best possible manner 

 for supporting a heavy weight, and in addition the bones are composed of extraordinarily hard 

 and dense material, although to all appearance they are comparatively slender. Altogether, the object 

 looked for is attained namely, strength with symmetry. The cannon or shank bone proceeds down- 

 wards until it reaches a bone known as the greater pastern, and between these two are also two little 

 bones, termed the sesamoids : this portion of the leg is called the fetlock. The sesamoid bones are 

 attached to the back of the cannon bone, and are so arranged as to increase the surface of the joint, 

 and also forming a pulley for the passage of the back tendons. The pastern bone rests immediately 

 upon a bone termed the little pastern or coronet, the former bone being placed obliquely downwards 

 and forwards, being an admirable provision against concussion. It is here, in proportion to the oblique 





SKELETON OF HORSE. 



position in which this bone is placed, the horseman finds either a springy or jolting action in the Horse 

 he rides. The little pastern or coronet rests upon a bone known as the coffin. (The three bones- 

 viz., the greater pastern, the little and the coffin bone are really nothing more nor less than three 

 phalanges, the three together being analogous to the human finger or toe.) It is situated partly 

 within and partly without the hoof, and its direction, like the greater pastern, is downwards and 

 forwards, and it is this bone which forms the pivot or centre of motion. 



The last bone of the foot, and immediately below the little pastern, as before stated, is the coffin 

 or pedal bone. This bone is strongly imbedded in the hoof, and is convex in front, rounded at the 

 sides, and slightly concave on its under surface. There is around the front and sides of the coffin 

 bone a considerable degree of roughness for the attachment of muscles, which part of the foot is 

 termed the sensitiva The under part is comparatively smooth. Between the coffin and little 

 pastern is a small oblong flattened bone, termed the navicular. It is covered over on its under surface 

 by a smooth cartilaginous layer. This bone probably helps to ward off concussion, also to give a 

 larger surface for membranes containing synovial fluid, or what is known as "joint oil," which 

 preserves the joints from too great friction. 



The more striking features in the skull of the Horse are the completion of the orbital ring behind 

 by the union of the frontal and jugal bones, and the edentulous space in front of the molar series, into 

 which the bit is inserted in riding or driving. The brain is large, and that part of it known as the 

 Cerebrum, or " big brain " (A), is deeply folded ; it does not, however, overlap the cerebellum, or 



