184 
ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
special function, the extension of the foot, as well as the pastern 
and fetlock joints. 
*** Immediately beneath the bend of the hock, from the antero-superior 
part of the metatarsal bone, issues a thin layer of fleshy fibres, enveloped in 
cellular substance, and concealed in part by the tendon of the above muscle, 
with which (about one-fourth of the length of the cannon downward) they 
form a union, and make some addition to its substance. In action, these 
supplementary fibres will brace the tendon; and are probably furnished to 
prevent it from being compressed by the flexion of the hock. 
peroneus. — Peroneo-prephalangeus. 
Situation .—Antero-external side of the limb. 
Form .—Cordiform; elongated; flattened from before back¬ 
wards. 
Attachment .—Superiorly, to the head of the fibula, continu¬ 
ing its attachment for the entire length of that bone. Inferiorly, 
the same as the foregoing muscle. 
Relations. —Externally, with the faschia and skin ; internally, 
with the fibula ; anteriorly, with the extensor pedis ; posteriorly, 
with the flexor pedis. 
Structure. —Superior attachment, fleshy and tendinous, from 
which a fleshy belly descends nearly the whole length of the 
tibia: a slender tendon, in form a flattened cord, then com¬ 
mences, which passes through a distinct tendinous sheath, across 
the front of the hock, and upon the cannon bone forms a con¬ 
nexion with the tendon of the flexor pedis. 
Action. —It will co-operate with the extensor pedis. 
flexor metatarsi. — Tibio-prematarseus. 
Situation. —Antero-internal side of the limb. 
Figure. —Bifurcate at either extremity. 
Attachment. — Superiorly, in common with the extensor pedis, 
from the external condyle of the os femoris ; and from a broad 
triangular excavation marked upon the superior and antero- 
external part of the tibia. Inferiorly, to the head of the large 
metatarsal bone, and to that of the internal small metatarsal 
bone. 
Structure. —The tendon by which the flexor pedis is attached, 
superiorly, enters afterwards into the composition of the present 
muscle, whose fleshy belly, although in intimate connexion with 
the tendon, is placed behind it. In front of the hock, the fleshy 
part ends in a small cordiform tendon, which is* enveloped by a 
flattened one that runs in front of it, and indeed forms cjuite a 
sheath for it. Having emerged from its sheath, however, it splits 
into two divisions, which are left with only cellular coverings. 
Action. —To flex the hock; in doing which it will have a ten¬ 
dency to turn the joint inwards. 
[To be continued. | 
