Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 173 



the udder and the front legs. As will be explained more fully later, 

 nutriment derived from the feed is carried to the udder by the blood 

 and is there utilized in the manufacture of milk. After the udder has 

 absorbed those elements necessary in making milk, the blood returns 

 to the heart through the milk-veins. It is evident that the size and 

 development of these veins is a good index to the cow's milking capac- 

 ity, hence they are highly useful in judging dairy cows. The milk- 

 veins of young heifers are small in diameter and are straight. As the 

 heifer develops and her milk flow increases, the veins show increase in 

 diameter, sometimes to an inch or more, they often become crooked or 

 tortuous, and may extend forward toward the fore flanks. The degree 

 of tortuousness varies according to the vein's diameter, small veins 

 being nearly straight and large ones very crooked indeed. There will 

 be at least two milk-veins, one on each side of the belly, and some- 

 times there will be three, the third one having a position on the middle 

 of the abdomen between the two side veins. They sometimes show 

 more or less branching, each branch passing forward and disappearing 

 through its own milk-well. Although diameter of veins is probably 

 most important, length and extension of veins are also regarded as 

 important, indicating an increased venous development and capacity 

 for a larger flow of blood, due to the added number of milk-wells which 

 make easy the work of handling a large circulation. Nearly all phe- 

 nomenal producers have veins not only of large diameter and decided 

 tortuousness, but also of many branches and forward extensions. 

 Small veins, called udder veins, occur on some udders, their presence 

 being further evidence of a well-developed mammary circulation. 



The milk -wells vary in size to correspond with the veins, and are 

 taken into account in judging. They should be large and easily 

 indented when the finger is applied to them. 



The escutcheon or "milk mirror" is that portion of the udder and 

 thighs that is covered with hairs turning up and out, instead of down, 

 as on the rest of the body. A Frenchman, Francois Guenon, beginning 

 in 1814 as a boy of fourteen years, worked out in great detail what is 

 known as the Guenon or escutcheon theory. He classified cows and 

 bulls into ten orders and each of these again into four grades, depending 

 on the size and shape of the escutcheon. To each of these orders and 

 grades he ascribed certain values. He also attached certain values to 

 the location of the tufts, ovals, or swirls in the hair on the thighs, 

 making seven additional classes of these. Guenon claimed to be able 

 to tell accurately the producing ability of the cow, and it is said that 

 in tests before various agricultural societies in France he was very 

 successful in proving his theory. The escutcheon theory was formerly 

 highly credited by many dairymen, and in rather recent years at least 



