24 THE REFERENCES EXPLAINED. [BOOK I. 



vast importance of a just shape to the due performance of this function, 

 so essential to the animal's lasting qualities. 



He will observe, too, that the situation only of some internal parts 

 was required for the purpose of elucidation ; thus, the heart seems 

 unsuspended by its vessels, as its pericardium and part of the lungs 

 are removed ; and it follows, that whoever expected to find a delinea- 

 tion of every viscus, perfect, has deceived himself, — if any such there 

 be. 



The Lungs are here represented about half inflated [I — N. 

 ]5 — 23.] and would fill the whole space above, to where the dia- 

 phragm, or midriff, is stretched across from the back bone [at G. 27-] 

 to the first true rib [at N. 22.] But here the acute observer will re- 

 mark, that the lower end of the lungs obtrude beyond their natural 

 healthy position. Disease has, in this supposed case, made considerable 

 ravages; adhesion of the lungs to the muscular border of the midriff", 

 (vulgo skirt) having caused this latter to enlarge on its lower side 

 towards the abdomen. 



Further, the references our readers will meet with in the 

 midst of the text are necessarily as brief as they are useful, and are 

 made to the sections, or parts, into which the first two chapters are 

 divided, after the manner of verses. 



This mode of reference will be found highly serviceable to his 

 investigation by the attentive reader, who is unused to study things of 

 this nature, but who must soon perceive the great practical advantages 

 to be derived from so intimate an acquaintance with the subject as 

 this method of learning it will furnish him the means of acquiring. If, 

 in the prosecution of his studies, he happen to forget what has been 

 before said, tending to the same point of information, or he be at a 

 loss whereabout he should look to refresh his memory, these refer- 

 ences supply him with the ready means of overcoming the difficulty : 

 in all other cases he must consult the Index. By adopting this method, 

 we have likewise avoided the repetitions inseparable from a work of 

 this nature, and have thus saved room, and the reader's time, though 

 not our own labour. 



%* Terms of art left unexplained in the text, and other hard, 

 words, will be found with their meaning explained in the Index. As 

 to the anterior and posterior of the horse, we have adopted the tipper 

 and the lower, as being more generally understood. See page 88. 



