CHAP. I.] LAID OPEN I ITS COMFONENT PARTS. 445 



posing the shuttle- bone (navicula) only is affected ; 

 others term it " dislocation of the coffin-joint," " a 

 disorder of the lamina," and other fanciful names ; 

 whereas, whenever the secretion that supplies the 

 elastic process and lubricates those several parts, 

 falls short, all surfer together, nearly, by growing 

 into one jointless lump of bone. 



At a on the coffin-bone, the general porosity 

 thereof is much greater than at any other part, 

 being the avenue or receptacle for the blood which 

 is diffused throughout it, except on the surface, or 

 border, (at bbb). The shape of this bone at the 

 toe (/) is worthy of note, as being that which is best 

 calculated to give firmness of tread, fitting with the 

 greatest nicety to the shape of the hoof; or rather, 

 perhaps, we should say, that the shape of the hoof 

 of a healthy animal should ever partake of that which 

 we have before us, and is evidently instructive to the 

 shoeing-smith in his final raspings, to keep clear 

 of the coffin-bone, whilst 'tis of its proper shape*. 



• Is it not strange ! but no less true is it, that since the foregoing 

 * section and description' was published — in the Annals of Sporting, 

 for June, 1825, Mr. Goodwin, the " late veterinary surgeon to his 

 majesty," retains the following passage in his " system of shoeing," 

 pape 181, viz. " Mr. Bracy Clark remarks, that the French method 

 of shoeing is more conformable to the natural form of the foot, and 

 that it harmonizes with the shape of the coffin-bone, which he illus- 

 trates by stating [what is not true] that if a coffin-bone be placed 

 fiat on a table, it will be seen that there is a considerable space between 

 the toe and the table. This is certainly correct," adds Mr. Goodwin, 

 complacently aiding the assertion of his preceptor ; but it is, never- 

 theless, a sad blunder ; as any one not blind may perceive by a 



single glance at the foregoing cut. The thing is palpable, and we 

 conclude that friend Bracy having fallen into error, inadvertently, 



