DAIRY CATTLE — THE AYRSHIRES. 743 



organs, reason shows that it should find its way freely and speedily 

 through the system on its labors of supply and removal, cleanse itself in 

 the lungs, and again pass on to its duties. All this points to a healthy 

 heart, ivot cramped, and lungs of sufficient capacity ; for the yield of milk 

 drains much nutriment from the system, and the constitution must needs 

 have the vigor given l)y healthy and active heart and lungs. In this way 

 the chest is correlated with the udder. 



The reproductive functions require hook Ijoncs of good size, and a 

 broad pelvis is desirable, as underlying within arc the generative organs. 

 Defects here are to be shunned. 



Xn. The Points Summed Up. 



The points of the Ayrshii-c cow, as given by the Ayrshire Agricultural 

 Society, and the New York State Agricultural Society, have been summed 

 up as follows : 



XIII. The Body. 



The whole fore-quarters thin in front, and gradually increasing in 

 depth and width l)ackward, yet of sufficient breadth and roundness to in- 

 sure constitution ; back should be straight and the loins wide, the hips 

 rather high and well spread ; pelvis roomy, long, broad and straight, hook 

 bones wide apart, quarters long, tolerably muscular, and full in theii 

 upper portion, but moulding into the thighs below, which should have a 

 degree of flatness, thus affording more space for a full udder ; the flanks 

 well let down, but not heavy ; ribs, behind, springing out very round and 

 full, affording space for a large udder — the whole carcass thus acquiring 

 increased volume toward its posterior portion. 



Xrv. The Skin. 



In connection with the body and the udder, the skin is of great value in 

 assisting our judgment. Between the portion of the external covering 

 used for leather, and the nmscle, there occurs a layer of cellular tissue, 

 which contains a larger or smaller amount of fat cells, and the mellow 

 handling caused by these cells indicates a free circulation throughout this 

 mesh work. 



The skin varies from a thin, papery hide, covered with silky hair, to 

 a thick, supple, elastic hide, well coated with hair, on the one hand, and 

 a similar variation, with harsh hair and coarseness, on the other. The 

 thin, papery hide indicates quick fattening and a delicate constitution; 

 thick, elastic hide, cushioned on fat, and which on the flank comes 

 into the hand almost without grasping, indicates the height of vigor, 

 accompanied b}"^ the fattening tendency, and the possessor of this hand- 

 ling endures climatic changes, low <iuality in his food, and neglect, with 



