The Nervous System 111 



The external ear is gristly and contains sebaceous glands, 

 the secretion of which gives the color to the inside of the 

 ear, bright yellow being desired by the dairyman. In 

 the external ear is the entrance to the middle ear con- 

 taining the ear drum and small bones, internal still is 

 the nerve of hearing located in the inner ear. Horses 

 sometimes become deaf when shot over during hunting 

 expeditions, the deafness in some cases being temporary, 

 in others permanent. 



The Skin. Along with the skin such structures as hair, 

 horn and glands (sebaceous and sweat) are found, the 

 glands have already been described. 



The skin covers the body and by so doing aids in reg- 

 ulating the temperature of that body, it also is the organ 

 of touch. 



Examination of this covering shows it to consist of two 

 layers, one on the surface, the epidermis, containing 

 nerves and pigment granules, the latter gives color to 

 the skin, and the dermis, which contains nerves and 

 blood vessels; like all other tissues, these divisions of the 

 skin are made up of cells, arranged in layers, the upper 

 ones of which are being gradually changed to meet out- 

 side conditions and are eventually shed. 



Among stockmen the condition of the skin is consid- 

 ered an indication not only of health, but of breeding 

 and ability to use the food furnished to the best advan- 

 tage. In horses the glossy coat with fine hair is so much 

 desired, in beef cattle the following essentials are called 

 for, often included under the special term handling 

 such are a soft, silky coat of thick, furry hair (in winter), 

 a pliable skin of good thickness, with a mellow cushion 



