68 MR. reeves’ reply to amicus. 
to a transverse section of the hoof, in which the edge of the sole 
was considered the hypothenuse of a rectangle there described. 
Therefore, if the sole descended, the quarters must expand, quod 
erat demonstrandum. In the argument, it was unnecessary to 
notice the curve of the sole, for it was manifest that, if the base 
was increased by depressing the hypothenuse, much more 
would it have been increased by taking into calculation the 
straightening of the curve of the sole also. 
If I remember rightly, there was a slight error of the com¬ 
positor, which was corrected on the cover of the succeeding 
number for May, which “Amicus” might have discovered had 
he been very intent upon the subject; but I can candidly confess 
that, to myself, the intentions of “ Amicus” savor more of the 
principles and practice of posing than of physiology. Never¬ 
theless, by referring to the figure given in the number of The 
VETERINARIAN for April 1850, and putting h for the hypo¬ 
thenuse, b for the base, and p for the perpendicular, the follow¬ 
ing formula will give, as I there observed, “ a very fair ap¬ 
proximate to the actual degree of expansion.” 
, J | A 2 — (p— ,l>j x 2 
In conclusion, I beg to inform “Amicus” that, although I 
must positively decline to notice any further communications 
which relate simply to measurement of this or that natural 
object, yet should he have made researches into the interesting 
subject of expansion, and intend to lay before the profession any 
valuable information relative thereto, 1 shall feel great pleasure 
in perusing the same, and according my individual thanks for 
the benefits derived from the study of his lucubrations. 
I am, Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
W. G. Reeve, M.R.C.V.S. 
1, Elizabeth-street, Eaton-square, 
7th Jan. 1852. 
P.S.—I trust, Sir, that when the interesting experiments of 
“ Amicus” are given to us in his next communication, we shall 
also be favoured with his name. 
