238 



CATTLE. 



7. The socket receiving the movable bone at the point of the 

 stemiira. 



In the ox, as the above cut will show, the steniiim is thin and flat. 

 It presents a level surface of considerable width for the floor of the 

 chest, and, therefore, insures a circular form for the chest. 



Breadth at the breast is an essential requisite in the ox. It is this 

 conformation alone which will give sufficient surface for the attach- 

 ment of muscles of the character of those of the ox, and will secure 

 sufficient room for the lungs to purify, and the heart to circulate 

 blood enough for the proper discharge of every function. The fol- 

 lowing cut of the breast of a short-horn bull will aff'ord a practical 

 illustration of these observations. 



A SHORT-HORN BULL. 



The flatness of the breast-bone at the base of the chest of the 

 ox secures ?i 2:)ermanent sufficiency of capacity ; and a perfect joint 

 between the ribs and the sternum is not only not wanted, but might 

 interfere with the equable action of the respiratory apparatus in this 

 animal. The union, however, between the rib and tlie sternum does 

 admit of a considerable degree of motion, and would, to a great ex- 

 tent, contribute to the enlargement of the chest, if rapid action, or 

 accident, or disease, should require it. 



The sternum of the ox has a pc>3ess projecting very considerably 



