THE JERSEYS, ALDERNEYS AND GUERNSEYS. 687 



Good digestive organs are known by a belly of moderate size, with 

 yielding sides, free from tightness, (in aged animals the belly is often 

 large, though the organs which it contains are in good condition) ; a large 

 mouth, thick and strong lips, a good appetite, easy and quick digestion, 

 glossy hair, supple skin, yet firm, and somewhat oily to the touch. Ani- 

 mals possessing these characteristics may be expected to feed and drink 

 heavily, and, if they are properly fed, make much blood and yield large 

 quantities of milk. The respiratory organs complete the system of nu- 

 trition. The lungs bring the air breathed into contact with the blood, 

 and render the system of nourishment complete. Hence, a good form, 

 quick digestion and a healthy condition of the lungs are necessary to the 

 production of a large flow of milk. 



XrV. The Milk Veins. 

 "If the veins which surround the udder are large, winding, and varicose 

 (dilated at intervals), they show that the glands receive much blood, 

 and, consequently, that their functions are active, and that the milk is 

 abundant. The veins on the lateral parts of the belly are most easily 

 observed, and all authors decide them to be among the best tests for 

 ascertaining the activity of the glands. These veins issue from the udder, 

 in front, and at the outer angle, Avhere they form, in very good cows, a 

 considerable varicose swelling. They proceed toward the front part of 

 the body, forming angles, more or less distinct, often divide towards their 

 anterior extremity, and sink into the body by several openings. We can 

 make the size of the milk veins prominent by compressing them in their 

 passage, by pressing them at the place where they pen '""•ite into the 

 body. If we press the thunil) strongly into the opening through Avhich 

 the vein passes, the width of the opening represents the diameter of the 

 vein, and the thickness of the thumb which stops it represents the vol- 

 ume of blood whose place it occupies. Sometimes the veins are divided. 

 It is then necessary to examine all the openings by which they pass, in 

 order to form a correct estimate. 



XV. The Udder and Twist Veins. 



"The veins of the udder and twist are able to furnish valuable indica- 

 tions. They should, in both cases, be highly developed, large and vari- 

 cose ; that is, appear swollen and knotty. The veins of the udder have 

 no definite direction. They present themselves irregularly, with zigzag 

 lines, knotted and more or less oblique. They are never of very large 

 size, except in cows that give large quantities of milk. 



'^The veins of the twist directed from above downward, forming a 

 winding line, interspersed with knots, resemble those of the udder in not 

 being visible either in heifers or in cows of only fair milking quality. We 



