270 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
the belly, and is reflected upon the contained viscera It 
presents a shining secreting surface, of a whitish aspect, and 
considerable transparency. Its internal surface is smooth 
and humid. The use of this organ is to secrete a serous 
fluid, which is intended for lubricating every part of the 
membrane, in consequence of which those viscera that are 
continually moving within the belly glide over one another, 
not only without friction, but without exciting the least 
consciousness of their motions on the part of the animal 
himself. In addition to this, the peritoneum furnishes most 
of the viscera with a complete external tunic, and thereby 
adds strength and firmness to their several textures. It 
attaches, supports, and confines those viscera (within certain 
limits) in their respective places ; and it strengthens the 
abdominal cavity altogether by its uninterrupted extension 
everywhere through and around it. 
THE DIAPHRAGM. 
PLATE IX. Fig. 1., h. 
This forms a fleshy and tendinous partition, dividing the 
cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen. It is of a 
broad circular form, flattened from before backwards ; its 
front surface is convex, and concave behind ; divided or 
forked above, and having two elongations or appendices ex¬ 
tending backwards, with pointed extremities. On that side 
next the chest it is invested by the membrane which covers 
the lungs, and towards the belly by that which covers the 
intestines. It adheres to the spine, the ribs, and the breast¬ 
bone, by strong muscular fibres. Its structure is fleshy and 
tendinous. The fleshy parts are those which form the cir- 
cumferent portions of the large muscle, and the principal 
part of the crura or appendices. The tendinous parts coil- 
