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THE STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE 



The Lirs 



The lips of the horse are remarkably sensitive 

 and flexible. They can be stretched out in various 

 directions, and are much used in gathering food 

 into the mouth. Any one who has seen a horse take a 

 small piece of sugar from a child's hand will appreciate 

 the delicacy and efficiency of these organs as instru- 

 ments of prehension. They present a great contrast to 

 the thick, rigid lips of the ox, in which animal the 

 tongue plays a mere important part in the duty of 

 obtaining food. Flexible and prehensile lips are 

 characteristic of the Perissodactyles. In most species 

 of rhinoceros the upper lip is prolonged to a point in 

 the middle line, which acts almost like a finger, and 

 in the tapirs it joins with the nose to form a flexible 

 and very mobile snout or short proboscis. 



The Nostrils 



The nostrils of the horse are large and very dilat- 

 able, allowing of the admission of a greater or less 

 amount of air, according to the demands of respira- 

 tion. Owing to the great length of the soft palate and 

 its relation to the upper end of the windpipe, breathing 

 takes place entirely through the nose. When men, 

 dogs, and many other animals, in consequence of any 



