20 - THE FORM OF ANIMaLS. 



have tht? figure of a cone, having its apex situated between 

 the shoulders, and its base towards the loins. 



The capacity of the chest depends upon its form more 

 than on the extent of the circumference ; for, where the 

 girth is equal in two animals, one may have much larger 

 lungs than the other. A deep chest therefore is n9t 

 capacious unless it is proportionally broad. 



The Pelvis. 



The pelvis is the cavity formed by the junction of the 

 haunch bones with the bones of the rump. It is essential 

 that this cavity should be large in the female, that she 

 may be enabled to bring forth her young with less diffi- 

 culty. When this cavity is small, the life of the mother 

 and of her offspring is endangered. 



The size of the pelvis is chiefly indicated by the width 

 of the hips and the breadth of the twisty which is the 

 space between the thighs. 



The breadth of the loins is always in proportion to that 

 of the chest and pelvis. 



The Head, 



The head should be small, by which the birth is facil- 

 itated. Its smallness affords other advantages, and gen- 

 erally indicates that the animal is of a good breed. 



Horns are useless to domestic animals. It is not dif- 

 ficult to breed animals without them. The breeders of 

 horned cattle and horned sheep, sustain a loss more 

 extensive than they may conceive ; for it is not the horns 

 alone, but also much more bone in the skulls of such 

 animals to support their horns ; besides there is an addi- 

 tional quantity of ligament and muscle in the neck w^hich 

 is of small value. 



The skull of a ram with its horns, weighed five times 

 more than another skull which was hornless. Both these 

 skulls were taken from sheep of the same af;e, each be .ng 



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