6 tS Live Stock-~Properties to be regarded in-^Difyo/ltion to fa fieri. 



experiments are however -wanting on thefe points, in order to place them in a more 

 clear light. The fuppofition of its having a relation to that of the colour of the 

 fkin, is probably without anyjuft foundation. 



Wherever any very material deviation from the natural colour of flefh is met 

 with in .meat, as has fometimes been the cafe, it is probably the effect of a morbid 

 condition of the animal. In the living flate, the proofs of good flemare a mellow, 

 elaftic, rather firm, feel, without any degree of harfhnefs ; and in the dead con 

 dition a fimilarity of feel, with a fine grain and marbly appearance. The difference 

 of age and fex may likewife afford fome variety in refpect to the quality of the 

 fle(h,as in old animals it muft be more firm, and lefs tender and juicy, than in thofe 

 that are young, as is found by experience. And the finenefs of the grain is moftly 

 found much greater in animals of the female than the male kind. Some of the 

 more northern breeds of Scotch cattje are faid to excel much in the quality of 

 their flefh, when killed at a proper age and well fattened. 



There is another property, in fome degree connected with that juft men 

 tioned, which is that of the difpofition to fatten while young, and in an expe 

 ditious manner, when fully fed. This is a property on which the profit of the 

 grazier muft in a high degree depend, as where it does not prevail, much of his 

 food muft be ufelefsly expended. It can not therefore, in this view, be too much 

 regarded in the felecting of his ftock. The circumftances on which it depends 

 have not, perhaps, yet been fully inveftigated -, but it is well known that fome 

 animals become fat with a very fmall confumption of food, while others that eat 

 much larger proportions always remain in a lean ftate. So far as obfervation has 

 yet gone, this is a property that would feem to be in fome meafure connected with 

 fmallnefs of bone. Some think it &quot; probable, however, that a tendency to fatten 

 arifes from fome particular circumftance in the internal ftructure of the body, of 

 which fmall bones are in general an indication j and that it is only in this point 

 of view that they ought to be confidered effential : for they often weigh as heavy, 

 and confequently require as much nourifhment, as large onesj fmall bones, like 

 thofe of the blood-horfe, being compact and heavy ; large bones like thofe of the 

 common dray, or cart-houfe, being extremely porous, and confequently light 

 for their apparent bulk. Indeed, cattle ought not only to be eafily maintained in 

 point of quantity, but, in remote and uncultivated diftricts, in regard to the quajity 

 ajfo pf the food they continue ; and it is certain that fome particular animals 



