THE CUTIS 263 



racer and other high-bred varieties. It is a rare thing 

 to meet with a black thoroughbred horse. 



The skin is beautifully adapted for giving strength 

 as well as a protection to the muscles ; for we find 

 in those parts that require to be firmly bound 

 together, such as the bones of the knees, the 

 pasterns and tendons of the limbs, it adheres with 

 such tenacity that it cannot be raised from those 

 places ; thus acting the part of a powerful ligature 

 to the parts which are subjected to the greatest 

 degree of stress ; and in those situations where being 

 tight would interfere w^ith the action of the horse, 

 it is loose. 



The cutis is of a strong fibrous texture, very tough, 

 yet supple, elastic, very vascular, and sensitive. Its 

 fibres are curiously interwoven in almost every 

 direction, and so interlaced as to give great strength 

 to its texture, making it almost impenetrable by a 

 knife in the living animal, and possessing extreme 

 elasticity. It is this quality which adapts it so closely 

 to the animal, whether he is plump and muscular, or 

 reduced to skin and bone. In man, and most other 

 animals, where from disease a great reduction of the 

 muscular fibre has taken place, the skin becomes loose 

 and shrivelled. It owes this great elasticity to the 

 innumerable larger and smaller glands which penetrate 

 its entire substance, and furnish that unctuous matter, 

 preserving the skin soft and pliable, and maintains 

 that greasy moisture which its surface ever possesses, 

 giving that beautiful sleek appearance to the hair. 

 When the animal gets out of condition, and the skin 

 is diseased, then the coat assumes a rough appearance, 

 the hairs refuse to lie down, and it is then said that 

 the coat stares. 



The skin at the bend of the knee and hock is 



