PART II — CATTLE 

 CHAPTER XXV 



BEEF TYPE OF CATTLE 



The general appearance of the beef animal, when of correct 

 type, shows a distinctly meat-producing form. The animal is com- 

 pact and broad of back from shoulder points to hips ; has a wide, 

 deep body ; short and somewhat thick neck ; wide, deep, full 

 bosom ; rather broad, thick, fleshy hind quarters ; and a generally 

 deep, wide body. Viewed from one side the top and bottom lines 

 of body run rather parallel, with the back quite level. From front 

 or rear the outline should be rather full and broad. Cattle of 

 this type are commonly referred to as "blocky," indicating com- 

 pactness and squareness of form. If the body is inclined to be 

 long it may be termed "rangy," while animals long of leg, show- 

 ing too little depth and fullness of body, may be termed "leggy." 



The head should have a broad, strong muzzle, indicating 

 superior grazing and feeding capacity. The nostrils, when some- 

 what prominent and large, with a wide nose, show ample nasal 

 capacity to supply the lungs with air. A Roman nose sometimes 

 occurs with cattle, but it is neither attractive nor desirable. The 

 distance from the muzzle to a point immediately between the 

 eyes is preferably short, with some curve, or "dish," as it is termed, 

 just below the eyes, which should be wide apart, large, and indi- 

 cate a gentle temperament. A quiet eye means an easy feeder, 

 while a nervous, restless eye shows an animal unsatisfactory to 

 handle and care for. The forehead, as indicating mental capac- 

 ity, should be broad and reasonably full. The face and cheeks 

 in a superior head are full and deep, connected with a rather 

 broad, strong lower jaw. If of the horned type, the horns should 



169 



