ANIMAL FORM AN INDEX OF QUALITIES. 379 



The " handling," touch," or " quality," although 

 difficult to describe, furnishes valuable indications of 

 many of the most important characteristics of an ani- 

 mal. 



A delicacy of the sense of touch is required to 

 make nice discriminations by this method of examina- 

 tion, that can only be acquired by constant practice ; 

 and a comparison of the handling of animals that pre- 

 sent differences in the condition of the coat and skin 

 will need to be frequently made to prevent errors in 

 judgment in special cases. A knowledge of the phys- 

 iological principles on which this method of examina- 

 tion is based will be useful to the beginner,, as it will 

 enable him to appreciate those slight variations in 

 quality that might otherwise escape his attention, and 

 to understand more fully what he may reasonably 

 expect to learn from its practical applications. 



The activity of the capillary circulation, it is well 

 known, is of the greatest importance in the processes 

 of nutrition. If the materials that have been pre- 

 pared by the organs of digestion for the nourishment 

 of the system are not freely conveyed to every part of 

 the organization, the best returns for feed consumed 

 cannot be obtained. 



As the skin is abundantly supplied with capillary 

 blood-vessels, an examination of its properties by the 

 "touch" will furnish the best means of ascertaining 

 the manner in which this part of the circulatory appa- 

 ratus is performing its functions. 



If the capillary circulation is actively carried on 

 in the skin, at the greatest possible distance from the 

 large vessels of the systemic circulation, the internal 



