THE DAIRY. 



521 



' indication that the whole bony structure is too heavy. The mouth 

 ' should be large and broad ; the eye bright and sparkling, but of 

 * a peculiar placidness of expression, with no ineJication of wildness, 

 ' but rather a mild and feminine look. These points will indicate 

 ' gentleness of disposition. Such cows seem to like to be milked, 

 ' are fond of being caressed, and often return caresses. The 

 ' horns should be small, short, tapering, yellowish, and glistening. 

 ' The neck should be small, thin, and tapering toward the head, 

 ' but thickening when it approaches the shoulders ; the dewlaps 

 ' small. The fore-quarters should be rather small when com- 

 ' pared with the hind-quarters. The form of the barrel will be 

 ' large, and each rib should project further than the preceding 

 ' one, up to the loins. She should be well-formed across the 

 ' hips and in the rump. 



"The spine, or backbone, should be straight and long, rather 

 ' loosely hung, or open along the middle part, the result of the 

 ' distance between the dorsal vertebrae, which sometimes causes a 

 'slight depression, or sway back. By some good judges this 

 ' mark is regarded as of great importance, especially when the 

 ' bones of the hind-quarters are also rather loosely put together, 

 ' leaving the rump of great width, and the pelvis large, and the 

 ' organs and milk-vessels lodged in the cavities largely developed. 

 ' The skin over the rump should be loose and flexible. This 

 ' point is of great importance ; and as, when the cow is in low 

 ' condition, or very poor, it will appear somewhat harder and 

 ' closer than it otherwise would, some practice and close observ- 

 ' ation are required to judge well of this mark. The skin, indeed, 

 ' all over the body, should be soft and mellow to the touch with 

 ' soft and glossy hair. The tail, if thick at the setting on, should 

 ' taper and be fine below. 



" But the udder is of special importance. It should be large in 

 ' proportion to the size of the animal, and the skin thin, with soft^ 

 ' loose folds extending well back, capable of great distention when 

 ' filled, but shrinking to a small compass when entirely empty. It 

 ' must be free from lumps in every part, and provided with four 

 ' teats set well apart, and of medium size. Nor are the milk- 



