PROOFS OF EVOLUTION. 
23 
size of a sheep, but minus the rudimentary toe. 
The next advance was to a three-toed animal all 
around, about the size of a yearling colt, with the 
rudiment of a fourth toe on each foot. This stage 
of his development was followed by a shortening 
up of the side toes, while the middle toe grew 
broader and stronger. Finally, in the Quarternary 
period, we have the modern horse as we see 
him to-day,—the side-splints yet remaining, as 
rudiments, to tell of his long line of descent. 
What is true of the toes of the horse applies as 
well to the development of other parts of his 
structure. The principle applies not only to him, 
but to all living things. Descent with modification 
is a universal law. By the necessity of continually 
varying his modes of life, the horse has advanced 
from a useless little plantigrade quadruped to the 
position of the greatest help-mate of man, bearing 
patiently his many burdens and contributing in no 
small degree to his pleasure. But Evolution, 
which fashioned the horse and made him man’s 
burden-bearer, is also raising up friendly inventors 
to emancipate him from some of his heavy toil. - 
All the organs, as well as all the parts of the 
skeletons of all animals, have undergone slow and 
