ANx\TOMY OF TPIE FOOT, 175 



possessed also of a considerable degree of 

 toughness and elasticity, that render it ex- 

 tremely durable, and well calculated to pro- 

 tect the sensible parts which it encloses. 



The hoof consists of the UHill or crust, the 

 sole, thefrofj^', and the bars. The upper part 

 of the crust, where it is connected with the 

 skin, is termed the coronet ; the lower part in 

 front, the toe; the sides of the crust are 

 named the quarters ; the quarters terminate 

 in the heels; and the heels are connected with 

 the frog. The crust grows from the coronet, 

 and instead of taking a perpendicular direction, 

 becomes oblique in its descent, whereby it 

 acquires a conical figure, being considerably 

 wider at the basis than at the coronet. This 

 description of the hoof applies only to the 

 Iieakiiy fDOt that has not been improperly 

 treated ; for when the bars have been cut 

 away, and the frog mutilated and prevented 

 from receiving pressure, the heels will con- 

 tract or approucii each other, and tiie shape of 

 the foot will be considerably altered. 



When we examine a hoof that has been re- 

 cently separated from tiie foot, an immense 

 number of small orifices or pores may be ob- 

 served in that groove which is found on the 



