230 THE HIND LIMB. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE HIND LIMB. 



General View of the Hind Limb — The Pelvis — Thigh and Stifle — Tibia — 

 Hock — Cannon and Fetlock — -Pastern and Hoof. 



As many points of resemblance exist between the fore and 

 hind limb, I shall assume, in order to avoid needless 

 repetition, that my readers, before arriving at this chapter, 

 have studied the preceding one ; and also Chapter YIIL, in 

 which I have tried to explain the action of both pairs of 

 legs. 



General view of the Hind Limb. — As the pelvis, 

 which is analogous to the shoulder-blade of the fore leg, is 

 essentially a portion of the hind quarters, I have reserved its 

 consideration for this chapter, instead of the one (Chapter 

 XVII.) in which I have attempted to treat of the trunk. 

 Although the chief function of the hind limb is that of 

 propulsion, it has, like the fore extremity, to bear weight ; 

 but to a lesser extent, and is also less exposed to the effects 

 of concussion. Thus we see that while the shoulder-blade is 

 connected to the body by muscles which work like a 

 spring, and which admit of extended reach in order to 

 preserve stability ; the pelvis is firmly united to the spine, so 



