JS2 CATTLE. 



THE FRONTALS IN P0LL::D C vTTLE. 



The frontal bones hold the same situation in polled cattle. They 

 reach from the nasal bones to the parietal ridge ; but they materi- 

 ally diminish in breadth towards the poll. The breeders of polled 

 cattle consider this a proof of pureness of blood, and of the pos- 

 session of a disposition to fatten. 



Large cavities between the plates of the frontal bone are found in 

 the polled as , well as in the horned breed; but they are not so 

 deep, nor do they extend beyond the frontals, varying much in the 

 different breeds of cattle. 



COMPARISON BETWEEN THE HORNED AND HORNLESS BREEDS. 



There was a time when this question was much discussed. It 

 was taken for granted, by those who had more theory than practi- 

 cal experience, that the horns were not only useless but a serious 

 evil ; and a scientific surgeon has scrupled not to say, that, " on a 

 very moderate calculation, the loss in farming stock, and also in 

 animal food, is very considerable from the production of horns and 

 their appendages." The fact, how^ever, has never been thoroughly 

 determined, whether the Galloway, or the Kyloe, is the most profita- 

 ble grazing stock ; each has its advocates, and each is excellent. 

 But it has been deteraiined, that during the reign of the Bakewel- 

 lian stock, no cattle displayed such a propensity to fatten as the 

 long-horns ; and as the chest became deeper and more circular, and 

 the aptitude to fatten developed itself, the horn lengthened. It has 

 also been determined, that for grazing and milking properties, and 

 particularly for early maturity, no cattle can vie with the short-horns. 



The existence of horns, or the length of the horn, have in them- 

 selves no connection at all with grazing, or with milking : a beast 

 does not fatten the quicker because there are no horns to consume a 

 portion of the nutriment, nor is he longer in getting into condition 

 because he has them. They are ornamental ; they cost the breeder 

 nothing ; they are useful for various purposes ; and they bring so 

 much clear gain to the manufacturer. The hornless cattle may, 

 however, be packed closer than the others, and, destitute of the 

 natural weapon of offence, are less quarrelsome and more docile. 



THE OTHER BONES OF THE SKULL. 



We shall be very brief in our iccount of the other bones of the 

 skull, as little of a practical nature is conirected with them. 



The Parietal hone. — In the ox {h, p. 143,) not the smallest portion 

 of it appears on the superior part of the head ; but it is found at 

 ihe back of it, usurping the place of 'the occipital bone, giving 

 attachment to the muscles of the neck, and particularly to its strong 

 supporting ligament [m, p. 143). It, however, spreads along the 

 side below the horn, giving it some support ; and it unites there 



