2-i Veterinary Elements. 



at the lower row of knee bones and passes to the fetlock, 

 a short distance above which it divides into two bands, 

 which are inserted to the sesamoids, parts of the liga- 

 ment, however, pass down and forward and unite with 

 the muscle (extensor pedis) that extends the foot. It is 

 a question whether this ligament is capable of stretching, 

 in dogs, cats and pigs its place is taken by a muscle, in 

 man by two muscles. The check ligament (carpal stay) 

 is a continuation of a powerful ligament which fills in 

 the spaces at the back of the knee joint, as stated ; it 

 assists one of the back tendons. The rear-most tendon 

 (flexor pedis perforatus) lies just behind the perforans 

 and underneath the skin, and receives a reinforcing 

 ligament above the knee. This muscle proceeds down 

 the back of the limb and forms a sheath at the fetlock, 

 through which the tendon of the perforans passes and is 

 inserted on the short pastern bone. The suspensory 

 ligament and two tendons should be hard and well defined 

 in the horse ; to be so, there must not be a great amount 

 of connective tissue, the nervous tone must be good, and 

 there must be no inflammation or its products in the 

 parts. Capt. Hayes, in "Points of the Horse," says the 

 factors in producing strong tissues, such as clean, hard 

 muscles, are, Heredity, hard food ("oats, not corn"), 

 exercise, a dry, warm climate and Eastern blood. 

 The first three factors are well under the control 

 of every farmer ; knowledge of such factors and their 

 intelligent use render breeding operations more success- 

 ful and, consequently, more satisfactory. Some very 

 large and very powerful muscles (Latissimus dorsi, ser- 

 ratus posticus, longissimus dorsi) extend along the back 



