The Skeleton. 7 



The bones entering into the formation of these regions 

 vary in shape, hence are divided in three classes: long, 

 flat and irregular. All bones have at various spots 

 (usually at the end) somewhat smooth polished spaces 

 known as articular surfaces ; when the articular surfaces 

 of two bones are in contact a joint is formed. A fourth 

 provision to ensure the surfaces of the two bones being 

 kept in contact is the band-like structure made of white 

 fibrous, connective tissue known as a Ligament. A liga- 

 ment may vary somewhat in form according to its posi- 

 tion, but its functions are the same, viz. : 1. Giving 

 support (example the lateral ligaments); 2. Confining 

 the joint oil (synovia) by means of the capsular ligament. 

 Two other forms of ligaments exist, namely, check and 

 susjiensory, but as they do not enter into the construction 

 of joints, they are considered along with the muscles. 



The Head. The bones of this region are quite numerous, 

 36 in all, and as their remembrance is of little practical 

 value to the agriculturist they will not be considered 

 separately. In the colt the boundaries of each bone are 

 easily made out and the bones separated, as the animal 

 grows older the bones grow together (ossify). The 

 bones of the head are quite light and thin and by their 

 arrangement form hollow spaces (excluding the mouth 

 and nose) which communicate more or less freely, and 

 are known as sinuses ; in the skull is also the brain cav- 

 ity. If we dehorn a cow we notice that the horns are 

 more or less hollow and that those cavities extend into 

 the head, therefore one can at once see that " Hollow - 

 horn, so-called," is not a diseased condition of the horns, 

 but is perfectly natural. In the cavities of the nose are 



