1(34 ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
riorly, which is not perceptible in other ligaments or in tendons ; 
and its fibres, which are very coarse, are disposed in layers. But 
its chief peculiarity consists in its exhibiting an intertexture of de¬ 
licate, pinky, fleshy fibres, which appear to be the uniting me¬ 
dium of the ligamentous fasciculi, b , The long inferior ligament 
runs from the bases of the sesamoid bones, along the back of the 
pastern bone, to the upper extremity of the coronet bone, where 
it expands over the posterior part of the pastern joint, c , The 
short inferior ligament arises, by two portions, also from the bases 
of the sesamoid bones, where it is in part concealed from view by 
the former: it is implanted, a little lower down than the long one, 
into a well-marked angular asperity on the back of the pastern 
bone. c f Two external lateral ligaments are extended from the 
outer projecting angles of the sesamoid bones ; one to the cannon 
bone, the other to the pastern, d , Tivo crucial ligaments , si¬ 
tuated underneath the inferior ligaments. They run, decussating 
each other, from the bases of the sesamoid bones to the upper 
and posterior or projecting pails of the pastern bone. 
Pastern-joint. —The condyloid eminences, terminating the 
inferior extremity of the pastern bone, fit into corresponding de¬ 
pressions upon the upper side of the coronet bone, the opposing 
surfaces being covered with cartilage. The articulation is fur¬ 
nished with—1st, capsular membrane infolding the smooth carti¬ 
laginous ends of the bones, and firmly inherent into their borders: 
it is also interwoven with the extensor tendon, which passes over 
it in front, and behind becomes inseparably united with the infe¬ 
rior sesamoid ligaments. 2d, Long lateral ligaments , rooted in 
rough surfaces on the sides of the pastern, whence they proceed 
to the coronet bone. 3d, Short lateral ligaments , broader and 
stronger than the former, are attached anteriorly to them, to the 
same bones, above and below.—The long inferior sesamoid liga¬ 
ment protects this articulation behind, and the extensor tendon 
forms a broad defence to it in front: indeed, both these parts are 
so knitted in texture with the capsular membrane, that they ap¬ 
pear to form the principal strength of it. 
Coffin-joint. —The condyloid prominences constituting the 
inferior side of the coronet bone, are received into a bi-concave 
hollow formed by the upper surfaces of the coffin and navicular 
bones, although in an inconsiderable degree by the latter. The 
articulation is secured by—1st, The capsular membrane , which 
inwraps the cartilaginous surfaces, and becomes inserted around 
their boundaries. In front, it is interwoven with the extensor 
tendon ; behind, it is greatly strengthened by connexion with the 
tendo perforans. 2d, Three pairs of ligaments of the coffin bone. 
a, First pair pass from the superior edges of the alie of the coffin 
