98 The Ayiatomy of a HORSE. Chap. VI. 



tilage, as all the other Appendages of the Joints are. With- 

 in the Cavities of this Joint there is always to be found 

 an unftuous or oily Matter, which is fcparatcd to further 

 the Motion thereof, by keeping it moift and flippery. Its 

 lower Head is round, and likewife covered with a Griftle, 

 to facilitate the Motion of the Inftep. 



This Bone has feveral Sinus's and Appendages, as well 

 as the Thigh-bone, not only for the Paflage of the Ten- 

 dons of fome Mufcies, but alfo to give rife to others which 

 move the Foot ; and has likewife a confiderable Bore, 

 which reaches from the upper to the lower Appendage, 

 and is filled with Marrow, to keep it moift, and preferve 

 it from becoming too brittle. 

 en r // p T- ^c Bones »f the Hock are in Number 



lae /mall hones, , ^ .,,.., ^^ , 



of the Hock, ^"^ "^'^^ ^''^" mQ\t m the Knee, and are 

 likewife difpofed in two Ranks, vi%. three 

 in the firft Rank, and four in the undermoft. They are 

 alfo articulated wi[h the Inftep, as the others are with the 

 Shank, only that they arc leated in the bending of the 

 Joint. Thefe Bones are of Ufe to hinder a Horfe from 

 falling upon his Hams, when he raifes himfelf upwards, 

 and goes upon his Haunches ; and are alfo like a Spring 

 to that Joint, by which he recovers himfelf in all Actions 

 where the hind Legs are chiefly concern'd. 

 cr, J u, . The Inftep-bone, to which thefe fmall 



I be Iniiep. „ ^ , ', . , ^ , 



Dones are articulated, is made up of three 

 Bones, which adhere fo clofely together, that they can 

 hardly be Separated or diftinguifh'd, until the Periofleum 

 is very clean fcraped off; and are much the fame as thofe 

 of the Shank already defcrib'd. The Pafterns and Coffin- 

 bone, '<Sc. agreeing alfo, in every refpe(fi, with thofe of 

 the Fore-foot, I fliall therefore omit mentioning them in 

 this Place. But before I leave this Subje(5I, it will, no 

 doubt, be expedcd I fliould take fome Notice of the 

 Hoofs, they being alfo a hard Subftance, and a very great 

 Defence to a Ilorfe's Foot. 

 lb H ofs '^^^ Hoofs of a Horfe, are thofe Parts 



which anfwer to the Nails in human Bodies, 

 and are no other than a Bundle of Husks, which cover and 

 flieath the Papill(£ Pyramidaks of the Skin, on the Ex- 

 tremities of the Feet, which dry, harden, and lie clofe one 

 upon another. They are of a middle Nature, between 

 Bones and Griftles, that they may not fplinter and break 

 becaafe oi their hardnef?, and at the fame time be able 



to 



