CONNECTION OF FORE LIMB WITH BODY. 37 



The neck, back, and loins are flexed by muscles which he immediately 

 underneath the spine. The head is bent by muscles that proceed — one on 

 each side — from the breast bone to the lower jaw, and by others which 

 connect the neck and head together. The head is extended by muscles that 

 are attached to the poll and bones of the neck and by others that proceed 

 from the poll to the withers. The 7ieck is extended by the last mentioned 

 muscles, and by those which connect the spine of one vertebra with the 

 body of the one in front of it. The back and loins are extended by muscles 

 which are similar in action to the ones just alluded to, and by the longissimiis 

 dorsi, which is the most powerful muscle of the body, and is the chief 

 extensor of the spine. It forms the principal portion of the fleshy mass 

 which lies over the loins and back. It is attached to the pelvis, sacrum, all 

 the loin and dorsal vertebrae, the last four bones of the neck, and to the 

 ribs. As the spines of the vertebra (including the withers) form a part of its 

 attachments, it follows that the more they are developed, the more powerful 

 will be the extension of the loins and back. 



Muscles which connect the fore limb to the body. — The shoulder blade is 

 connected to the trunk principally by a very strong, fan-shaped muscle, 

 which is attached at its middle to the inside of the shoulder blade. Its 

 front end is connected to the last five bones of the neck ; and its other end 

 to the first eight ribs. When the front portion contracts, the shoulder blade 

 is drawn forward ; when the rear portion contracts, this bone is pulled back. 

 This muscle, from the manner of its attachment, acts as a sling for the fore 

 limb. The tipper part of the shoiilder blade is connected to the trunk, from its 

 inner extremity by a muscle wliich has one end attached to the suspensory 

 ligament of the head and neck, and the other to the withers. Hence, on 

 contracting, it draws the shoulder blade forwards and upwards. The outside 

 of the shoulder blade is connected to the trunk, at about its upper third, by a 

 muscle which has one branch going to the withers, and the other to the 

 suspensory ligament of the head and neck. It can thus raise the shoulder 

 blade, or work it backwards or forwards. The fore limb is drawn forward 

 chiefly, however, by the action of a muscle which is attached, at one end, to 

 the top of the head and first four neck vertebrae, and by the other to the 

 middle of the humerus. We may see from the foregoing remarks, that 

 length of neck and height of withers are favourable conditions for the firm 

 attachment of the shoulder blade to the trunk and for the free action of 

 the shoulder. 



The fore limb is connected to the breast bone by a muscle which is attached 

 to the breast bone and humerus. 



