110 Veterinary Elements. 



doubtful if they are at all the result of the emotions as in 

 the human, properly speaking "tears" are an accumula- 

 tion of the secretion of the lachrymal glands, and as such, 

 although the term has been applied to the secretion, 

 cannot be said' to exist normally in the animal. The 

 conjunctiva may be considered as a continuation of the 

 skin, joining the eyelids and eyeball, it is very vascular, 

 containing a large number of fine blood vessels, this 

 characteristic is made use of in the detection of disease. 



Above and behind the eye is a pad of fat, filling up 

 the hollow space there, in old animals the fat partially 

 disappears. The eyes should be clear and free from tears, 

 the pupils black, the eyelids thin and free from wrinkles. 

 Small eyes in horses are termed u pig eyes" and are con- 

 sidered a sign of inferior breeding. Horses showing 

 much white in their eyes are often suspected of vicious- 

 ness, if the ears are laid back and the teeth shown such 

 a suspicion is likely warranted. The eyes should be 

 placed wide apart, thus giving the wide forehead, con- 

 sidered by many as one indication of a pleasant, reason- 

 able disposition. 



The ears or organs of hearing are rather complex inter- 

 nally, the outer portion, consisting of cartilage (gristle) 

 covered with skin, being all that is of much interest to 

 the stockman. The erect, alert ear is desired as being 

 an indication of health and vigor, although in horses, 

 the lopped ears are not always indicative of ill health or 

 the tired feeling; in sheep, however, the ears droop con- 

 siderably during sickness. The ears should be fine, thin 

 and lean so that they are semi-transparent, all evidences 

 of breeding. Horses suffering from blindness have quick 

 moving, restless ears. 



