TREATISE ON MILCH COWS. 



This could not be effected except by studying a vast number of individuals — by 

 comparing them together — taking into consideration the countries from which 

 they came — their stature — their yield. This was npt all : they had to be classed. 

 Conceive what toil this task involved for me, a plain child of Nature, who had 

 no idea of such a classification, and found myself under the necessity of establish- 

 ing one. The endeavor was one to absorb me entirely ; I gave up my calling ; 

 I traveled about, visiting cattle markets, fairs, cow-stables ; I questioned and 

 cross-questioned all who might be expected to know most on the subject — hus- 

 bandmen, dealers in cattle, men of the veterinary profession ; I became convinced 

 that my discovery had not been anticipated by any one. The marks for distin- 

 guishing a good Cow from a bad one varied according to the notions of each indi- 

 vidual. Some looked to the shape of the horns — others upon that of the udder ; 

 some judged by the shape of the animal, or the color of her hair — others were 

 determined in their choice by something else. But, in these various modes of 

 judging, all was vague and uncertain. I became confirmed in the belief that I 

 had made the important discovery of signs that were positive and certain ; and, 

 in order the better to satisfy myself of the solidity of the ground upon which my 

 method was to rest, I took the precaution to return to the same localities at dif- 

 ferent times and seasons, that I might trace and ascertain the effects which might 

 attend these variations of Nature. All my observations were accurately noted 

 down ; and I could at length flatter myself with having acquired a mass of facts 

 which gave solidity and consistence to my system, and imparted the character of 

 positive certainty to that which at first had been but a probable conjecture. 



In 1822, I began to deal in cattle on my own account. This trade brought un- 

 der my eyes a great number and variety of Cows from all quarters — from Switz- 

 erland, Holland, Brittany, Poitou, &c. &:c. ; and I had better opportunities than 

 before for thoroughly examining the marks of these different races. My obser- 

 vations were multiplied, and I became convinced anew that all individuals pos- 

 sessing the same marks belonged to the same family, whatever might be the 

 country of their birth ; that these marks were an infallihle indication of the same 

 degree of superiority or inferiority; in a word, that Nature, always consistent 

 with herself, acted, at all times and places, in the same way, and was always 

 governed by the same laws. 



For between seven and eight years, I had been incessantly engaged in estab- 

 lishing order among my observations, and arranging the results into one consist- 

 ent whole. I established a classification, founded upon the shape or outline of 

 the different marks : Cows were first divided into classes or families ; then, in 

 each of these classes, there v/as a threefold division, according to size — the tall 

 or high, the medium, and the lotv ; finally, each class was subdivided into orders, 

 according to the diminution and the deformity of the distinctive mark of the class, 

 as found in the different individuals belonging to it. This task was an immense 

 one for me, and cost me a degree of trouble and an expenditure of time, of which 

 a conception may be formed by considering how many comparisons and combina- 

 tions were necessary to a person so unversed in scientific methods, before my ma- 

 terials could be reduced to order, and I could form a distinct and precise idea of 

 my own discovery. 



These difiiculties, which might have disheartened any other person, did not 

 discourage me. A system was to be created, and I created it. In 1S28, I ad- 

 dressed to the Academy of Bordeaux a request, having for its object that mv 

 method should be examined and reported upon. I was not yet willing to disclose 



