The above Engraving represents the Foal, as it is folded up in the womb of the Mare when fully developed, in the right flank of the animal, the chest of the Foal toward the tail of the Mare, the front legs turned backwards, and the hind legs turned forward under the body of the Foal, the head and neck turned back in its left side, so that the head will rest on the first false ribs. From the time of covering the Mare, to the time of foaling, generally requires a period of three hundred and thirty days. A few instances, however, came under my observation, in which fine, full-grown, and healthy colts were delivered in three hundred and twelve days, while others delayed their appearance for a period of three hundred and ninety days, before the owner could rejoice in the valuable prize brought to his stable. The full chested, round trunked mare will develope a foal much sooner than the flat-sided, lean and camel-backed one. In nine days after the covering of the mare, the womb will begin to close about fifteen inches from the entrance; at the same time, the fecund seed of the horse will change into bloody streaks, and the balance becomes like cream on curdled milk about six hours after it is strained, and in from forty to fifty days, the foal will be regularly shaped, and about the size of a small rat. At the same time a membrane or skin will spread around the entrance inside of the womb, from which a number of small cords branch out, uniting together as they run along, until they form one cord, extending to the navel of the foal, through which the blood of the mare circulates in the foal, in order to give it nourishment. At the same time another membrane or skin is formed around the foal, in which are contained from four to six, and even eight quarts of yellowish fluid, which answers a twofold purpose: first, it prevents all friction between the foal and membrane, and secondly, it assists in raising the foal from its locality. At the first throes of the mare, the action of the womb will cause the membrane or skin to protrude through the entrance of the womb, and the fluid will be forced into it, and the weight will assist in raising the foal, until it will be presented when the skin will break and the channel will be opened for the foal to breath. [Illustration: PLATE II.]