Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1907 — EVOLUTION OF HORSE’S HOOF. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EVOLUTION OF HORSE’S HOOF.

The horse had originally five fully developed toes, but In the course of ages the two at each side wore away, and the middle one was developed until it became the hoof, as.it Is now seen. The evolution of the horse’s hoof is illustrated by the analogy of the human hand, where the middle finger represents the toe of t|ie horse which has remained in use In the hoof of the modern horse two narrow spllntbonea still represent former toes.—lllustrated London News.

ANIMAL ORIGINALLY HAD FIVE TOES, BUT FOUR WERE WORN AWAY.