358 



The suffragims is a very compact bone, set in an oblique direction 

 downward and forward, and extends from the cannon bone to the 

 coronet. 



The coronet is a short, cube-shaped bone, set between the suffragiuis 

 and coffin bone, in the same oblique direction. 



The coffin hone forms the end of the foot and is shaped like the horny 

 box in which it is enclosed. 



The navicuJar bone is short, flattened above and below, and is attached 

 to the coffin bone behind. 



All of these bones are covered on the surfaces with a cartilage of 

 incrustation which goes to make up the joints, while the i)ortion8 

 between are covered with a fibrous membrane called the periosteum. 



The joints of the legs are of especial importance, since any inter- 

 ference with their function very largely impairs the value of the animal 

 for most purposes. As the joints of the foot and ankle are at the point 

 of greatest concussion they are the ones most subject to injury and 

 disease. 



There are three of these joints — the fetlock, pastern, and coffin. They 

 are made by the union of two or more bones, held together by ligaments 

 of fibrous tissue, and are lubricated by a thick viscid fluid, called syno- 

 via, which is secreted by a special membrane inclosing the joints. 



The fetlocl^ joint is made by the union of the lower end of the cannon 

 and the upper end of the large pastern bones, supplemented by the two 

 sesamoids, so i^laced behind the upper end of the pastern that the joint 

 is capable of a very extensive motion. These bones are held together 

 by ligaments, only one of which — the suspensory — demands special 

 mention. 



The suspensory ligament of the fetlock starts from the knee, extends 

 down behind the cannon, lying between the two splint bones, until near 

 the fetlock, where it divides and sends a branch on either side of the 

 joint, downward and forward, to become attached on the sides of the 

 extensor tendon at the lower end of the pastern bone. As it crosses the 

 sesamoids on the posterior borders of the fetlock it throws out fibers, 

 which hold it fast to these bones. (Plate xxxii. Fig. 2.) 



The paster n joint \'& made by the union of the two pastern bones. 



The coffin joint is made by the union of the small pastern, coffin, and 

 small sesamoid or navicular bones, the latter being set behind and be- 

 neath the joint surface of the coffin bone, in such a way as to largely 

 receive the weight of the small j)astern. 



Three tendons sevye to move the bones of the foot one on another. 

 Two of these flex or bend the joints, while the other extends or straight- 

 ens the column of bones. (Plate xxx. Fig. 5.) 



The flexor pedis r>crforans, or deep flexor of the foot, passes down be- 

 hind the cannon bone, lying against the suspensory ligament in front. 

 Crosses the fetlock joint in the groove made by the union of the two 

 sesamoids, and is attached to the bottom of the coffin boncj after cover- 



