17 



widthand firmer supportthereby for the Operations required of thehind limbs in prcjecting the 

 body. 



In respect to the members or pieces composing this bony column, their particularization ic 

 not necessar)' ; its leading divisions we shall, however, notice, beginning at the head. 



The first vertebra 32, bears the name of Atlas in the human skeleton, from its supporting 

 the globe of the head ; but in the horse and other quadrupeds it may be said to suspend rather 

 than Support it, that the same name will but indifferently apply. 33Is the second cervical 

 vertebra, and called in the human ßentator, having angular or tooth-like projections : it is of 

 remarkable length in the horse, the longitudinal crest nn its back serving for the streng 

 attachment of the cervical ligament. 34 — 7 Are the rest of the cervical vertebrse, which number 

 according to that excellent observer John Hunter, obtains in nearly or quite all the families of 

 known quadrupeds. Between the articulations or joints of these vertebrse there is interposed 

 an elastic cartilage, expanding vvhen there is a remission of pressure upon the column of these 

 bones. 38 The first Dorsal Vertebra and commencement of the withers. 39 The last Dorsal 

 Vertebra : their number varles, there being usually eighteen in the horse, sometimes nineteen. 

 40 The last of the Lumbar Vertebrte ; and over this there appears a remarkable space between two 

 of the Dorsal Apophyses, or upright processes of the vertebrae, which space is occupied only with 

 ligament, or the muscles of the back, and appears given to afFord opportunity for the greater 

 flexibility of this part of the spine in turning ; and in the lateral movements, it is to be 

 remarked, that the superior brauch of the ilium, or haunch bone, is disposed opposite this 

 opening, that strength should not be wanting, and to prevent the danger of dislocation from 

 too violent or sudden lateral distortion. 41 The Os Sacrutn. 42 The Os Coecygis, and bones 

 ofthetail, diminishing to the extremity, and solid. The ass's tail is said to have two more 

 bones than the horse's. 



We ought not to pass over without noticing it a knob or callous of bone growing to the under- 

 side of the luuibar vertebrse, and sitiiated opposite the articulation or Joint, which formation has 

 been the effect of excessive labour, or over proportioned loads to the powers of the animal, 

 inflaming and disordering these bones, and causing them to coalesce by ossific deposit, creating 

 much pain and suflering to the animal. Some horses appear lame behind from these ossi- 

 fications, being in the neighbourhood of the kidneys others have a diflSculty in staleing; 

 others in backing with their load appear to suifer excruciating pain ; and some cannot be 

 made to attempt it by the severest usage : it may also be observed on careful inspcc- 

 tion that four or five of the dorsal vertebrse are in a similar manner knit together by bony 

 deposit, and the Joint or Separation in these is obliterated. Tlie mare, the subject of this 

 representation, was one of the horses of the Dunstable stage, and was brought to the slaughter- 

 hoHse dead, having very suddenly died, and as was apprehended from being over-driven. , , 



The Spinal Marrow, or Chord, a continuation of the white parts of the brain is seen loosely 

 lodged in its canal in the upper parts of the bodies of the vertebrse, sending off branches of 

 nerves to all the parts it is passing through ; and this spinal chord has been lately detected to 

 have a hoUow canal through its centre by Mv. Sewel. 



Of the UPPER Parts of the Neck. — Between the processes of the withers and the cervical 

 Tertebrse is a large deep triangulär space, filled up chiefly by muscle, but having in the middle 



F longitudinall)' 



