ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OP THE HORSE’S FOOT. 357 
to have received the rather incorrect designation of “ plantar 
aponeurosis.” Those nearest the centre usually continue to 
converge towards the middle ; those next them proceed direct 
to be inserted into the pedal bone ; while the fasciculi towards 
the sides diverge to implant themselves into the extremities 
of the semilunar ridge and the adjoining wings of the pedal 
bone (fig. 9, d ) . In by far the largest proportion of feet dis- 
sected by me, I have found one, or even several, bundles of 
fibres connecting the lower portion of this face with the mid- 
dle bundle belonging to the inferior navicular ligament, and 
which passes on to the transverse ridge of that bone. This con- 
nection has an important bearing upon the pathology of this 
region. Other bundles are also sometimes seen towards the 
sides of the tendon and ligament. On this surface, at the 
parts corresponding to the most prominent portions of the 
convexity formed by the lower face of the navicular bone, 
the fibres are more closely pressed together, and, particularly 
when in a dried state, show the imprint received from the 
contact they sustain with that bone (fig. 9, c ). These are 
the portions of tendon which, in cases of navicular disease, are 
in nearly every instance most deeply involved. 
Behind, the central and most posterior fibres converge and 
diverge, cross and intercross, before insertion, so as to form a 
strong fibrous web. 
Behind and in front this tendon is well supplied with blood- 
vessels; some even pass through its groove from behind, 
above the navicular bone, and supply the membranes covering 
it and the face of the tendon. 
The concurrent attenuation and expansion, and consequent 
weakening of this important tendon at a part where it ought 
to be most solid and powerful — as it passes over the angle 
formed by the navicular pulley — is largely compensated for 
by a curious, yet admirably disposed fibrous web or sling, 
first described, I believe, by Professor Bouley of Alfort. 
This fibrous accessory apparatus of the deep flexor tendon 
(figs. 7, g ; 8 ,f; 96)* is continuous, above, with the cellulo- 
fibrous tissue of the region, and covers the fibrous sheath 
through which the superficial and deep tendons pass between 
the fetlock and foot, where it soon acquires a considerable de- 
gree of thickness, forming two ligamentous bands that are 
attached to the sides of the lower end of the first phalanx. These 
pass backwards and downwards, and behind the second phalanx 
reach the borders of the deep flexor tendon (fig. 8,/) as it 
begins to expand, and spread over its posterior surface until 
# The “game Jibreuse de renforcement du tendon Jlechisseur profond” of M. 
Bouley. 
