OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
451 
proved that it was once larger. The form of the hoof depends 
upon the growth of structure within, and those internal parts 
depend upon the functions they are called upon to perform. 
From the above remarks it will be seen how varied is the 
form of horses 7 feet, and how cautious we ought to be in con¬ 
demning those feet which do not assume that shape we have 
been in the habit of considering perfection as regards form 
and size . If we examine the hoofs of a score of horses after 
death, we shall find a material difference in shape, and so we 
shall find the same difference of shape in the pedal bones. 
This is readily accounted for, if we accept as a fact that the 
external part of the foot, namely, the hoof, is depending 
entirely upon the growth of structure, within as to the form 
it assumes during the life of an animal. 
Sainbel considered the foot as the “ segment of an oval, 
opened at the back, and nearly round in front. 77 
B. Clark denies this assertion, and believes it (the foot) to 
be “ cylindrical, very obliquely truncated upon its ground 
surface. 77 A note taken at Professor Spooner’s lecture is as 
follows :—“ The form of the hoof is conoid in the foal; it 
may attain to any form with work, depending upon the func¬ 
tion the foot has to perform. 77 Mr. Gamgee, sen., has 
expressed himself in the following words :—It is quite true 
the anatomist recognises some essential characters and forms 
with wonderful constancy, which, however, is not inconsistent 
with considerable secondary differences. Witness men 7 s 
heads and hands, as well as horses 7 hoofs. You never find 
two precisely alike. 77 These observations of the Professor I 
can readily subscribe to; we may, therefore, dismiss this 
part of our subject as being of less moment than it has 
hitherto been considered, and proceed with an inquiry into 
the structure of the foot. The foot of the horse is made up 
of a variety of textures, so arranged as to constitute at one 
and the same time the most elaborate and beautiful specimen 
of mechanism the mind of man can contemplate. We find 
entering into its composition bones, synovial membranes, car¬ 
tilages, fibro-cartilage, elastic tissue , ligaments, terminal portions 
of tendon , arteries , veins, nerves, absorbents, and horny fibre . 
Each and every one of these structures has its own special 
function to perform. 
The Bones . 
The os pedis is described as semilunar in its outline, ante¬ 
riorly and superiorly convex, posteriorly and interiorly con¬ 
cave. It is connected with the navicular and coronal bones, 
