394 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



of a practical nature, that the direction of the hair is subordinate 

 to that of the arteries; that when a large plate of hair is directed 

 from below, upwards, on the posterior face of the udder, and on 

 the twist, it proves that the arteries which supply the milky sys- 

 tem are large, since they pass backwards beyond it, convey much 

 blood, and consequently give activity to its functions. Upper 

 tufts, placed on the sides of the vulva, prove that the arteries of 

 the generative organs are strongly developed, reach even to the 

 skin, and give great activity to those organs. The consequence 

 is, that after a cow is again in calf, they draw off the blood which 

 was flowing to the milky glands, lessen, and even stop the secre- 

 tion of milk. 



"In the bull, the arteries, corresponding to the mammary arteries 

 of the cow, being intended only for coverings of the testicles, are 

 very slightly developed; and there, accordingly, the scutcheons are 

 of small extent. 



VALUE OF THE MARKS FURNISHED BY THE SCUTCHEONS. 



"After this explanation, which accounts very well for all that 

 has been observed, it is easy to comprehend the value of the 

 scutcheons. The more the lower ones are developed, the greater 

 the quantity of milk; but shape is of no consequence. 



"Still, whatever be the cause of the relations existing between 

 the secretion of milk and the scutcheons, these marks cannot 

 furnish data so certain as some have affirmed them to be. 



"In fact, the quantity of milk, and its quality, do not depend 

 solely on the form and size of the scutcheon ; they depend on 

 the food, the particular management, the climate, the season, 

 the temperament, the size and energy of the principal internal 

 organs, the capacity of the chest, the influence of the generative 

 system, &c. All these circumstances cause the quantity of milk 

 to vary, without making any change on the extent of the 

 scutcheon; consequently, it is impossible that the same relation 

 can always exist, between the scutcheons and the quantities of 



