side, which renders the view more useful, and preserves entire the medias- 

 tinum, or middle curtain, which separates the ehest longitudinally into twö 

 cavities. 



The execution, however, of this figure was not unattended with difficul- 

 ties; and especially the reduction ofit to a symmetrical appearance after 

 division, in which I have once more with pleasurc to acknowledge the 

 assistance of my worthy friend Mr. Sydenham Edwards. 



The description is accompanied occasionally, to relieve the dryness of 

 reference, and to give it the more interest and Utility, with briefremarks 

 on the physiology of the parts and some of their diseases, where especially 

 any nevv or more correct view of the matter appears to call for it. 



That the reader may entertain a notion of the general plan on which this 

 animal appears to be framed, we shall begin our description with some 

 observations respecting this interesting, and we believe hitherto untried 

 department of knowledge, which properties will be found to extend 

 through all the different families of the quadruped race, with variations, 

 according to their respective wants and forms. 



To au artist not yet made acqiiainted with it, it may be an interesting 

 circumstance to observe, that the body of the horse, viewed on one side, 

 presents nearly in the outline a true square : the body, legs and feet are 

 included in this measure, but not the head and neck ; a line let fall from 

 the withers to the ground, anterior to or touching the breast, forms one side 

 of this Square ; one drawn parallel to this, touching the extremity of the 

 buttock, forms a second line or side of the square ; one extending horizon- 

 tally along the back, from the withers to therump, touching oruniting the 

 two former, aftbrds a third line or side of the square ; and the fourth is 

 formed by a line drawn along the ground, touching the lower edge of the 

 hoof, and uniting the two first, and thuscompleting the square. 



By the observance of this guide as a general law, varying the outline ac- 

 cording to the contour of the parts, a symmetrical appearance will be ever 

 obtained : on the other band, if this is not known or attended to, and there 

 is much deviation either way, the figure will appear long-legged, or other-- 

 w\se long-bacf.ed ; nor was this curious fact unknown in ancient times, 

 .as we learn by Jlierocks, a writer on veterinary subjects, who lived in or 



about 



