CATTLE 



The spinous processes of the anterior bones of the back, constituting 

 the withers, are strong but short. While a very slight curve should 

 mark the situation of the withers, the irregularity of the processes of 

 the bones should never be visible. Tiie less the curve the better, 

 and no decided hollow behind should point out the place where the 

 withers terminate, and the more level surface of the back commences ; 

 as this is a departure from good conformation, for which nothing can 

 compensate. It not only takes away so much substance from the 

 spot on which good flesh and fat should be thickly laid on, but it 

 generally shows an indisposition to accumulate flesh and fat in the 

 right places. 



THE LARYNX. 



At the posterior part of the pharynx, and at the top of the wind-, 

 pipe, we find a curiously constructed cartilaginous box, called the 

 larynx. It is the guard of the lungs, lest particles of food, or any 

 injurious substance, should penetrate into the air-passages, and it is at 

 the same time the instrument of voice. (See cut, p. 196.) Every 

 portion of food, Avhether swallowed or returned for the purpose of 

 re-mastication, passes over it ; and it would be scarcely possible to 

 avoid frequent inconvenience, and danger of suffocation, were it not 

 for a lid or covering to the entrance of this box, termed the epiglottis, 

 (fig. 5,) which yields to the pressure of the food passing over it, and 

 lies flat on the entrance into the windpipe, and, being of a cartila- 

 ginous structure, rises again by its inherent elasticity as soon as the 

 pellet has been forced along, and permits the animal to breathe again. 

 The whole of the larynx is composed of separate cartilages, to which 

 muscles are attached, that regulate the size of the opening into the 

 windpipe, as the voice or alteration in breathing from exertion or 

 disease, may require. Fig. 1 1 gives a view of the rimce glottidis, or 

 edge of the glottis, or opening into the windpipe. It is small, 

 because little speed is required in the labor of the ox, and there is 

 rarely any hurried or distressed breathing. 



But although the opening into the windpipe is small, there is 

 danger of substances getting into it, for all the food passes thrice 

 over it ; and at its first passage is formed into a very loose and 

 imperfect pellet. Provision is made for this ; the epiglottis of the ox 

 is broad : it more than covers the opening into the windpipe. The 

 breathing is seldom hurried, and the food passes often over the 

 opening, and therefore the epiglottis is broad and rounded, (fig. 5, 

 p. 190,) and overlapping on either side, and at the angle of 

 the opening ; the cartilage of which it is composed is thin, its rounded 

 extremity is curled — turned back — so as to yield and he pressed down, 

 and give an uninterrupted passage, and securely cover the opening 

 wlien the food is returned ; while also, from its thinness, it yields in 



