ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HORSE’S FOOT. 391 
we now have an assemblage of well-defined independent 
bodies, resembling, in every respect, the cells obtained by 
slight friction from the surface of the skin. These cells, after 
the effects of compression have been partially or altogether 
removed, offers various outlines, according to their situation and 
mode of aggregation, being round, elongated, oval, polygonal, 
or irregular. They enclose a nucleus more or less distinct, 
which is supposed to be the “ keratin” or substance peculiar 
to horn, epidermis, hair, &c. These cells compose the hoof, 
with the exception, of course, of the villi, which may be said 
to enter into its composition during life, and the pigment- 
cells or granules, which will be described hereafter. 
A transverse section of a wall fibre from near the coronet, 
treated with potash, presents the following appearance 
(fig. 14). The concentric arrangement of the cells around 
Fig. 14. — Transverse section a of wall horn-fibre, from near the coronet; 
after boiling in caustic potash. Magnified 350 diameters. 
the central cavity is well marked, and the latter is almost 
obliterated by the expansion of its encircling elements. The 
large cells at the margin of the fibre are those which have 
become entirely separated by the action of the potash. 
If we take a slightly wider section, and treat it in the same 
manner, we will be able to perceive not only the arrangement 
of the cells composing the wall of the fibre, but also discover 
the nature of what has been termed the homogeneous, agglu- 
tinating, and structureless horny matter. In the annexed 
drawing (fig. 15), representing a transverse section of one 
aroites,” &c.— “ De la Corne du Sabot du Cheval,” Journal des Veterinaires 
du Midi, 1865, p. 381. 
