232 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



&c., we find the chest is long and deep, though not wide, 

 whilst in pigs, sheep, and oxen, we notice an opposite con- 

 formation. Tlie fact is, in proportion to the activity of the 

 animal is its respiration and demand for oxygen, and in pro- 

 portion to the consmnption of oxygen is the wear and tear 

 of the system and the consumption of the elements of the 

 food. If the exertions are therefore excessive, that portion 

 of the food that would have increased the weight of the body 

 is called for to support respiration. 



" In animals having a propensity to fatten, we find the 

 chest of a circular form ; the ribs spring from the spine more 

 horizontally than in others, almost at right angles ; this is 

 observed in the ox, compared with the horse, and still more 

 so in the sheep. The effect of this conformation is certain- 

 ly in one respect to increase the width of the chest, but an- 

 other important effect is to increase very considerably the 

 size of the abdomen ; for in order to obtain the greatest pos- 

 sible nutriment from the food, it is essential that the organs of 

 digestion should be capacious, which cannot be the case un- 

 less the cavity in which they are situated is large. The 

 abdominal muscles and membrane which support the bowels 

 are attached to the cartilages of the ribs, and the short ribs 

 in some measure cover the abdomen. It must, therefore, be 

 evident that in proportion to the width between the posterior 

 ribs must, in a great measure, be the size of the abdomen ; 

 and this width must be in proportion to the horizontal direc- 

 tion in which the ribs are given off. The loins must cor- 

 respond with the ribs ; the transverse processes are long 

 and horizontal in proportion to the horizontal manner in 

 which the ribs spring from the spine ; for, in fact, they are 

 but a continuation of the same roof, and must possess the 

 same relative proportions. We must illustrate this point by 

 comparing it with an umbrella, which, when thoroughly open, 

 the whalebone ribs, so to speak, coming off at right angles, 

 may be compared with the broad circular animal, and, when 

 half extended, to the narrow-chested, flat-sided beast. In its 

 former state the umbrella forms the roof of a much larger 

 space of ground than it does in its latter state ; and, in the 

 same manner, the long transverse lumbar processes must 

 form the roof of a larger abdominal cavity than the short 

 transverse processes found with narrow loins. The same 

 form that extends the roof of the abdomen, also gives a 

 larger surface for the muscles of the back and loins to rest 



