SECRETARY'S REPORT. 105 



Some local questions have arisen in consequence of the incor- 

 poration of two or more societies covering the same territorial 

 limits. These give rise to difficulties which were not originally 

 foreseen. To many individuals this subject seemed to be of 

 sufficient importance to call for the consideration of the Board 



disposition — " clear," as a guarantee of the animal's health ; whereas a dull, 

 sluggish eye belongs to a slow feeder, and a wild, restless eye betrays an un- 

 quiet, fitful temper, 2 



The Horns — light in substance and waxy in color, and symmetrically set on 

 the head ; the Ear large, thin, with considerable action, .... 1 



The Neck — rather short than long, tapering to the head ; clean in the throat, 

 and full at its base, thus covering and filling out the points of the shoulders, . 2 



The Chest — broad from point to point of the shoulders ; deep from the ante- 

 rior dorsal vertebra to the floor of the sternum, and both round and full just 

 back of the elbows ; sometimes designated by the phi-ase, " thick through the 

 heart." These are unquestionably the most important points in every animal, 

 as constitution must depend on their perfect development, and the ample room 

 thus afforded for the free action of the heart and lungs, . . . .14 



The Brisket, however deep or projecting, must not be confounded with 

 cu2)acifi/ of chest ; for though a very attractive and selling point, it, in reality, 

 adds nothing to the space within, however it may increase the girth without. 

 It is in fact nothing more nor less than a muscular adipose substance, attached 

 to the anterior portion of the sternum, or breast-bone, and thence extending 

 itself back. This form, however, of the brisket, indicates a disposition to lay on 

 fat generally throughout the frame, and in this point of view is valuable, . 5 



The Shoulder, where weight, as in the Short-horn, is the object, should be 

 somewhat upright and of good width at the points, with the blade-bone just 

 sufficiently curved to blend its upper portion smoothly with the crops, . 4 



The Crops must be full and level with the shoulders and back ; and is, per- 

 haps, one of the most difficult points to breed right in the Short-horn, . . 8 



The Back, Loin and Hips should be broad and wide, forming a straight and 

 even line from the neck to tlie setting on of the tail, the hips or bucks round 

 and well covered, ........... 8 



The Rumps laid up high, with plenty of flesh on their extremities, . . 5 



The Pelvis should be large, indicated by the width of the hips (as already 

 mentioned) and the breadth of the twist, ....... 2 



The Twist, should be so well filled out in its "seam" as to form nearly an 

 even and wide plain, between the thighs, ....... 3 



The Quarters — long, straight, and well developed downwards, ... 5 



The Carcass — round ; the ribs nearly circular, and extending well back, . 4 



The Flanks — deep, wide, and full in proportion to condition, ... 3 



The Leg — short, straight, and standing square with the body, ... 2 



The Plates of the belly, strong, and thus preserving nearly a straight under 

 line 3 



The Tail — flat and broad at its root, but fine in its cord, and placed high up, 

 and on a level with the rumps, . . . . . . . . . 2 



The Carriage of an animal gives style and beauty ; the walk should be 

 square and the step quick ; the head up, 2 



14 



