ALsE OF COFFIN-BONE. 229 



It will be well perhaps to again take up the 

 coffin-bone, and it will be noticed that at its ends 

 (the heel ends) it branches out into two thin, wing- 

 shaped formations. These are, indeed, termed the 

 ala3, or wings. Attached to these wings are two 

 gristly formations. As I have to say something 

 regarding these later on, I think the present a good 

 opportunity for drawing attention to them, as it is 

 the ossification of these which causes what are 

 termed ' side-bones.' 



I will now ask the reader to take note of the 

 action of a horse, at any pace he may select, and to 

 observe the wav the foot is brought down to, and re- 

 moved from, the ground, and he will see that, though 

 the foot comes flat down, the action of the leg is 

 circular, and he will easily follow me when I endea- 

 vour to explain to him that, by this circular motion 

 of the leg, the toe of a horse's foot would become 

 very much worn, more so than any other part. 

 Such is the case ; and if a worn-out shoe is 

 examined, it will be seen that the iron, while worn 

 nearly through at the toe, is but little the worse 

 for wear at the heel or elsewhere. 



I think I have now made mention of all that is 

 necessary for me to impress on the reader with 

 regard to the structure of the foot, and I trust I 

 have not been over-verbose; but it has been neces- 



