CONNECTION OF FORE LIMB WITH BODY, 31 



which lies over the loins and back. It is attached to the pelvis, sacrum, all 

 the loin and dorsal vertebrae, the last four bones of the neck, and to the 

 ribs. As the spines of the vertebrae (including the withers) form a part of its 

 attachments, it follows that the more they are developed, the more powerful 

 will be the extension of the loins and back. 



Muscles which connect the fore limb to tlie body, — The shoulder blade is 

 connected to the trunk principally by a very strong, fan-shaped muscle, 

 which is attached at its middle to the inside of the shoulder blade. Its 

 front end is connected to the last five bones of the neck ; and its other end 

 to the first eight ribs. When the front portion contracts, the shoulder blade 

 is drawn forward ; when the rear portion contracts, this bone is pulled back. 

 This muscle, from the manner of its attachment, acts as a sling for the fore 

 limb. The upper pari of the shoulder blade is connected to the trunks from its 

 inner extremity by a muscle which has one end attached to the suspensory 

 ligament of the head and neck, and the other to the withers. Hence, on 

 contracting, it draws the shoulder blade forwards and upwards. The outside 

 •of the shoulder blade is connected to the trunk, at about its upper third, by a 

 muscle which has one branch going to the withers, and the other to the 

 supensory ligament of the head and neck. It can thus raise the shoulder 

 blade, or work it backwards or forwards. The fore limb is drawn forward 

 chiefly, however, by the action of a muscle which is attached, at one end, to 

 the top of the head and first four neck vertebrse, and by the other to the 

 middle of the humerus. We may see from the foregoing remarks, that 

 length of neck and height of withers are favourable conditions for the firm 

 attachment of the shoulder blade to the trunk and for the free action of the 

 shoulder. 



The fore limb is connected to tJie breast bom by a muscle which is attached 

 to the breast bone and humerus. 



The fare limb is drawn back, principally, by two muscles, one of which is 

 attached, at one end, to the abdominal tunic {see p. 28) and breast bone ; 

 and at the other, to the humerus and shoulder blade, close to the shoulder 

 joint. The other muscle (the latissimus dorsi) has its origin on the vertebrae 

 of the loins and back, and is inserted on the humerus, which it consequently 

 draws backwards and upwards when it contracts. The first mentioned 

 muscle tends to draw it backwards and downwards. 



Muscles of the fore limk —When the fore leg is advanced, the shoulder 

 joint is extended and the elbow joint flexed. When it is drawn back, the 

 opposite to this takes place. Agreeably to these actions, we find a powerful 

 muscle attached, by one end, to the front part of the shoulder blade, just 

 above the joint ; and by the other end to the front of the radius immediately 

 below the elbow joint, so that, when it contracts, it extends the shoulder and 

 flexes the elbow. Another muscle, being attached to the rearmost comer of 

 the shoulder blade and to the point of the elbow, flexes the shoulder and 

 extends the elbow. Besides these muscles, there are various others which 

 respectively aid in the flexion and extension of these joints. The chief 

 muscle that extends the knee has its origin on the front part of the humerus, 



