

EXTERNAL FORM. CV 



because the character indicates that delicacy of the extremi- 

 ties which experience shews to consist with the property of 

 fattening quickly. 



The Ox, when viewed in profile, should exhibit a square 

 and massive form, filling the greater part of the rectangle in 

 which he is contained. When viewed from behind, he should 

 present the same square and massive aspect ; and the muscles 

 on the inner side of the tibia, forming what is technically 

 termed the twist, should be largely developed. The large 

 flat muscles which surround the abdomen should be of suffi- 

 cient strength to keep the belly from hanging. Generally, 

 the muscular parts should appear to pass without abruptness 

 from the one to the other. Thus, the muscles of the neck 

 should gradually expand into those of the breast, and these 

 again into the shoulders, while the muscles of the shoulders 

 should pass into those behind, so as to leave littla hollow- 

 ness ; and the flanks before the stifle-bone should be well 

 filled up.* 



* The following are the popular characters usually given as indicative of 

 the property of fattening, and the suitable form, in the Ox ; from which it will 

 be seen, that the results of observation and experience accord with those which 

 may be derived from an examination of the functions and structure of the 

 parts. 



1. The head shall be fine, somewhat long, and diminishing to the muzzle, 

 which shall be thin. 



2. The horns shall be fine, and placed on the summit of the head ; the eyes 

 shall be prominent and clear. 



3. The neck shall be free from coarseness, large where it joins the shoulder 

 and breast, and diminishing to the head. 



4. The breast shall be wide, and project well in front of the fore-limbs. 



5. The shoulder shall be broad, but join without abruptness to the neck be- 

 fore, and to the chine behind. 



6. The back and loins shall be straight, wide, and flat. 



7. The girth behind the shoulders shall be large, and the ribs well arched. 



8. The hook-bones shall be far apart and nearly on a level with the back- 

 bone ; and from the hook -bone to the bending down of the tail, the quarter 

 shall be long, broad, and straight. 



9. The tail shall be broad at the upper part, and small and progressively 

 diminishing towards the extremity. 



10. The legs shall be short, fleshy to the knee and hock, and below the joints 

 flat and thin, and the hoofs shall be small. 



11. The skin shall be soft to the touch, the belly shall not hang down, there 

 shall be little hollo wness behind the shoulders, and tho flanks shall be well 

 filled up. 



