CALVING. 259 



dairymen and farmers are familiar with, and upon which 

 we will say comparatively little. Before Ave do this, hovv'- 

 ever, a short description of the symptoms, by which it is 

 known when a cow is in calf, will be given. 



Symptoms. The first and most important symptoms of 

 a cow being Avith calf, is the absence of cestromania or 

 bulling. This, however, is not altogether relied upon in 

 some cows, for there are cases in which a pregnant cow 

 will receive the bull up to the time of calving. The next, 

 aud probably the more sure sign of a cow being Avith calf, 

 is the increased size of the belly. The hand placed firmly 

 against the flank or portion, Avhere there are no ribs; a 

 liard, firm body Avill be felt, Avhich is the calf. As time 

 passes along, the movements of the calf in the Avomb can 

 occasionally be seen. Within a few Aveeks of calving, the 

 external organs of generation — labia pudendi — increase in 

 size, and discharge a thick mucus. The udder becomes 

 swollen, hot, and full of the first milk — colostrum — Avhich 

 is sure indication that the time for cah^ing is near at hand. 

 This is accompanied by a relaxation of the ligaments of the 

 pelvis, or, as the dairymen say, "" she is cIoavu in her bones." 



Si/mj)toms of Immediate Delivery. Great restlessness 

 and uneasiness, shoAvn by lying doAvn and rising up, and- 

 increasing in severity, until she has been delivered of a 

 calf. From the time of conception, till natural parturition 

 or calving, it is about forty Aveeks, or two hundred and 

 eighty days. 



There are, hoAA^ver, opinions at variance Avith these 

 dates, founded upon the sex of the calf If a male, it 

 is carried longer than if of the opposite sex. These opin- 

 ions form ground for debate, therefore Ave Avill drop 

 theorizing. 



Natural Calving. — This resembles the fruit when 



