340 



O. C. Marsh — Recent Polydactyle Horses. 



These slender metapodial bones still represent the second and 

 fourth digits, and are shown in their usual position, in figures 

 1 and 2. One or more of these splint bones may become 

 enlarged below, and support phalanges, forming another digit 

 beside the main one, either beneath the skin, or, more com- 

 monly, developing into a small, external toe with hoof. 



—N 



-N 



E M in ill 



Figure 1. — Fore foot of modern horse (normal). 



Figure 2.— Hind foot of same animal. 



Figure 3. — Fore foot of " Clique, the horse with six feet " (polydactyle). 



Figure 4. — Hind foot of same animal. All left feet, and one eighth natural size. 



a, astragalus; c. calcaneum ; cb, cuboid; n, navicular; B, radius; fa, trapezium* 

 u, unciform; x, cuneiform ; I. first digit; II. second digit ; III. third digit; IV. 

 fourth digit 



The occurrence of such extra digits in the recent horse is 

 much more frequent than is generally supposed. Since the 

 attention of the writer was first called to the subject, he has 

 seen and examined a large number of living animals with this 

 peculiarity, and has had sent to him several interesting speci- 

 mens of the same character. He has likewise received photo- 

 graphs, drawings, and detailed descriptions of various other 

 examples, the authenticity of which cannot be questioned. 

 This material, together with not a few published accounts, 

 forms a fair basis on which to investigate the subject. This, 

 however, would require much time in itself, especially if it led 

 into the question whether polydactylism is atavism, and other 



