360 PRINCIPLES OF STOCK-BREEDING. 



Several illustrations of the rectangular type of 

 form that prevails in the meat-producing breeds are 

 given in the outline sketches, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 

 7 ; in contrast with them, Figs. 8 and 9 furnish good 

 illustrations of forms that are objectionable. 



Regularity and symmetry in the general outline 

 are not, however, sufficient in themselves to constitute 

 perfection in external form, the proportions of the 

 body being quite as important as an indication of the 

 characteristics of the animal. 



If the body is excessively long, without corre- 

 sponding depth and substance, and the under -line, 

 from the proportionate length of legs, is too far from 

 the ground, a delicacy of constitution is indicated, in 

 connection with poor feeding quality, late maturity, 

 and a deficiency in the proportion of choice parts in 

 the carcass. 



The long-bodied bull, Fig. 4, sketched from life, 

 has nearly all the defects that usually accompany such 

 faulty proportions in general form. The chest is nar- 

 row and lacking in capacity, as indicated by the form 

 of the brisket, the defective fore-flank, flat ribs, and 

 deficient girth ; the shoulder is too upright, the crops 

 defective, the loins narrow, the flanks light, and there 

 is too large a proportion of the coarser parts of the 

 carcass. 



A low and remarkably short body, with great 

 depth and thickness of carcass, as in Fig. 5, indicates 

 a tendency to mature early, to lay on fat rapidly, and 

 it may be in excess and in masses that are objection- 

 able, with a deficiency in muscle or lean meat. From 

 their extreme compactness such animals may weigh 



