THE FORM OF ANIMALS. 19 



jExperience has proved that crossing has only suc- 

 ceeded in an eminent degree, in those instances in which 

 the females were larger than in the usual proportion of 

 females to males ; and that it has generally failed when 

 the males are disproportionally large. 



The external form of domestic animals has been much 

 studied, and the proportions are well ascertained. But 

 the external form is an indication only of internal structure. 

 The principles of improving it must therefore be founded 

 on the knowledge of the structure and use of internal 

 parts. 



The lungs are of the first importance. It is on their 

 size and soundness that the health of an animal prmci- 

 pally depends. The power of converting food into 

 nourishment, is in proportion to their size. An animal 

 with large lungs, is capable of converting a given quantity 

 of food into more nourishment than one with smaller 

 lungs, and therefore has a greater aptitude to fatten.* 



The Chest. 



The external indication of the size of the lungs is the 

 form and size of the chest; the form of which should 



* [In farther explanation of this principle, it may be added, from an au- 

 ttior who had evidently read and relied on this able Essay of Surgeon 

 Cline, that muscular exertion facilitates the return of venous blood to 

 the right side of the heart, and in long continued and violent exertion, 

 the respiration being quickened, the lungs — if small — are unable to 

 arterialize and get rid of the blood as fast as it is pumped into them ; 

 consequently, if there is not room for the blood, congestion takes place, 

 and the horse becomes what is termed " blown" — the lungs being gorged 

 irith blood, and sometimes the animal is destroyed by it. In England 

 it is said to be " well understood that a majority of horses that perish 

 under a hard press ' across the country,' are riarrow-chestea /" The 

 conical form, not of the body, but of the chest, as laid down in the next 

 paragraph, is very observable in the best paintings of Fashion. 7'here, 

 and in her quarters and hocks, appear to us to lie the great sources at 

 beryet in this country unequalled speed and stoutness.— T. S. S,"] 



38 



