But
not only is it a machine which feeds and appropriates to its own
support the nourishment necessary to its existence--it is an engine for
locomotive purposes. The Horse desires to go from one place to
another; and to enable it to do this, it has those strong contractile
bundles of muscles attached to the bones of its limbs, which are put in
motion by means of a sort of telegraphic apparatus formed by the brain
and the great spinal cord running through the spine or backbone; and to
this spinal cord are attached a number of fibres termed nerves, which
proceed to all parts of the structure. By means of these the eyes,
nose, tongue, and skin--all the organs of perception--transmit
impressions or sensations to the brain, which acts as a sort of great
central telegraph-office, receiving impressions and sending messages to
all parts of the body, and putting in motion the muscles necessary to
accomplish any movement that may be desired. So that you have here an
extremely complex and beautifully-proportioned machine, with all its
parts working harmoniously together towards one common object--the
preservation of the life of the animal.
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