190 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



does, embraces some desirable qualities. Beauty in a Short-horn 

 would not be altogether beauty in a Devon, or Hereford ; neither 

 would the latter be altogether beautiful in a short-horn figure. 

 So with the rotund, long-haired Galloway, the wild, rough 

 looking Highlander, or the meek, domestic, housekeeping Ayr- 

 shire; while the unique, diminutive Alderney a gem in her 

 blood-like and picturesque little ugliness would lose every 

 attractive characteristic feature, if clothed in the perfect con- 

 tour of a Devon. 



We say, then, perfection of form according to its breed is 

 a great excellence in neat cattle. They should be good all over. 

 One most desirable point, unnaturally developed, is apt to be so 

 at the expense of another part equally desirable, which is 

 deficient, for nature usually has its compensations, and is apt to 

 square her account of superabundancies and deficiencies as she 

 goes along, even in animals which are otherwise almost faultless. 

 Thus, if a certain outline of anatomy, when fully fleshed, gives 

 the proportionate quantities of valuable flesh in their proper 

 places, such outlines, according to the breed, is always to be 

 sought for that object. If another outline better develops the 

 milking properties of the cow, such a figure is to be sought, as 

 near as may be, because of its likelihood to furnish the require- 

 ments wanted. To sum up the whole matter, perfection of form, 

 according to its kind, should be the aim of every breeder who 

 aspires to success and profit in his pursuit. 



Some nice and discriminating breeders and writers on cattle, 

 have given "scales of points," amounting to a hundred in all, to 

 constitute a perfect animal; they give to every feature so many 

 in number, as the importance of that feature may have to all the 

 others, as two to the muzzle, one to the horn, four to the neck, 

 ten to the brisket, twelve to the loin, and so on through the 

 entire animal. We look upon all these nice discriminations as 

 fanciful, rather than real, and have never known anybody gov- 



