54 The 'Book of the Goat. 



so, these being extra long and with a slight outward curl 

 at the extremities, showing more or less of the Syrian, 

 from which this breed is supposed by some to originate, in 

 part at least. The facial outline is straight, the head long 

 and narrow and free from beard, this last being a notice- 

 able and special feature of the breed, and imparting to the 

 female a more feminine appearance than have some goats. 

 When horns are present, which is undoubtedly a defect, 

 they are small and curl back over the head. The 

 udder of the Maltese is a long narrow bag, with large, un- 

 shapely teats like little udders themselves, its colour, like 

 that of the skin generally, being of a peculiar orange-red. 

 These goats are nearly always thin, however well fed, 

 and often very flat-sided. Like all breeds which have 

 been specially bred for the sake of the produce for 

 a great number of years, the Maltese is an exceptional 

 milker, and being so constantly accompanied by the goat- 

 herd, who tends it with care and devotion, it is a 

 very docile and intelligent creature. Crepin says that 

 the goatherds of Malta are in the habit of encourag- 

 ing the secretion of milk in their goats by a pro- 

 longed massage of the udder with well-greased hands 

 during the latter months of gestation. This operation is 

 repeated as often as possible, and the goat not only 

 becomes accustomed to it, but seems quite to enjoy it. The 

 effect of this gentle friction thus constantly applied is to 

 encourage a flow of blood to the mammary glands, which 

 descend and develop towards the lower part of the udder, 

 thus accounting for its singular shape. Another peculiarity 

 we learn from the same source is that the Maltese never 

 completely milk out their goats. Whilst we in England, 

 like the goat-keepers in Switzerland and other parts, regard 

 it as a matter of the highest importance never to leave any 

 milk in the udder when milking, the goatherd in Malta 

 takes a contrary view, explaining that by leaving, say, a 



