A hippomane
Keywords: hippomane, allantois, equine, pregnancy
Hippomanes (flat, smooth and rubbery amalgums of protein and minerals) are found in the allantoic fluid of all herbivours. They are however, most common in horses and other equids (zebra etc) They are ferquently absent from the allantois in normal pregnancies. Their size varies from less than a centimeter in length to 22cm. The hippomane pictured here is somewhat larger than most.
Folklore attaches several functions to them, amoungst the most notable being "The food that Allah placed in the womb for the little foal". In truth, their importance is unknown.
