ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 477 



Some variations in the skeleton of the domestic horse and their signifi- 

 cance, F. Eassie (Sri. Proc. Roy. Dublin Soc, n. scr., 12 (I'JIO), No. 27, pp. 

 321-330, pis. 5, flys. J>).— The author Illustrates by diagrams several ways in 

 which the skeleton of the domesticated horse has deteriorated from the wild 

 horse. These defects, such as the upright scapula, wedge type of limbs, and 

 lengthening of the spine, humerus, and femur, are thought to be accompanied 

 by a loss of vitality, strength, and nervous energy. Attention is called to the 

 value of knowing whether or not these defects are inherited in Mendelian 

 fashion. 



The gait of the American trotter and pacer, R. Jordan, Jr. {New York, 

 1910, pp. X+32.'i, pis. 12, fiys. 212). — A report of investigations of the principles 

 concerned in the proper balancing of the horse in motion. The attitude and 

 motion of the legs was studied in connection with the tracks made by the hoofs 

 on the ground. Measurements were made of the length of stride and of the 

 lateral deviations and angle of the shoe from the median line. 



Where the gait was not square it was found that in the forelegs the greater 

 total variation in length of stride occurred in the stronger leg, whereas in the 

 hind legs the greater total variation occurred in the weaker leg. A right or 

 wrong manner of standing was maintained when in action. From the studies 

 of faulty gaits practical conclusions were drawn concerning their remedy by 

 shaping the hoof, by changing the style of shoe, and by methods of training. 



Present status of the horse breeding industry in Pennsylvania, 1908 

 (Pvnn. Live Stoek Sanit. Bd. Cire. 16, pp. l-'i2). — This contains the stallion 

 law enacted in 1907, a directory of owners of pure-bi"ed stallions, and other 

 matters of interest to horse breeders. 



Horse breeding {Dept. Landb. Nijv. en Handel, Verslay. en Meded. Dir. 

 Landb. [Netherlands], 1909, No. 6, pp. 102). — This is a report containing sta- 

 tistical data on pure-bred stock, the manner of recording pedigrees in the stud- 

 book, and methods of bi-eeding, feeding, and managing horses in the different 

 Dutch districts. 



The army horse, C. Guerrero {Amcr. Breeders May., 1 {1910), No. 1, pp. 

 30-3S). — An account of the stud farm of Trakehnen, Germany, and the methods 

 practiced there of breeding horses for the German army, together with remarks 

 on the improvement of horses in other countries. 



Studbook of the Belgian horse, Leyder {Stud-book des Chcvaax he Trait 

 Bclyes. Brussels, 1909, vol. 17, pt. 1, pp. XXIV-\-l/i67, pi. i).— Besides the pedi- 

 grees recorded there is some introductory matter concei'ning the improvement of 

 the Belgian horse during the past 30 years. The average measurements of the 

 stallions which were made by the author in 1880 were as follows: Height 1.65 

 meters, circumference of chest 2.2G meters, depth of chest 0.757 meter, and cir- 

 cumference of cannon 0.25 meter. The average of the measurements made in 

 1900 were height 1.67 meters, circumference of chest 2.45 meters, depth of chest 

 0.79 meter, and circumference of cannon 0.2(57 meter. 



The poultry manual, T. W. Sturges {London, 1909, pp. XVIII+597, pis. 3-i, 

 fiys. 17). — A practical poultry book, by a breeder of many years' experience, 

 on feeding, incubation, housing, and management of poultry, and preparing 

 poultry for exhibition. Descriptions of American, European, and Asiatic breeds 

 of fowls. Bantams, ducks, geese, and turkeys are given. A glossary of technical 

 terms is ajiiK'nded. 



Poultry breeding, M. PuKVis {Chienyo, 1910, pp. 323, pi. 1, fiys. 7//3).— A 

 practical poultry book upon breeds, breeding, and management of fowls, ducks, 

 geese, and turkeys. The arrangement of topics is in alphabetical order. The 

 data obtained are largely from the experience of the author and from experi- 

 ment station literature. 



