CHAPTER III. 



THE MANIFESTATIONS OF FORM, FUNCTION, 

 AND CAPACITY. 



THE practical stockman is not directly interested with the 

 intricate mechanism and development of the animal organ- 

 ism, yet there are certain manifestations of form, function, 

 and capacity which stamp the value of an animal in its 

 various phases of use and development. The value of an 

 animal to the stockman is largely determined by the forma- 

 tion of the anatomy of the bony framework, the muscular 

 development, the digestive system, the circulatory system, 

 the mammary organs, the reproductive system, and the 

 nervous development. Because of the close association of 

 these attributes, from the standpoint of the stockman, a 

 deficiency or weakness in development of any one would 

 retard growth and normal development in the individual 

 and sacrifice what otherwise might be cardinal points in 

 breed, type or class attainments. An analysis, therefore, 

 of their utility value is important. 



Bony Framework. The bony framework is a measure of 

 the height and weight or scale which will be attained by an 

 animal. Unless an animal possesses a foundation or frame- 

 work whereon the muscular system may normally develop the 

 ultimate size at maturity will be materially decreased. The 

 sleek-bodied colt, the short, round body of the calf and 

 the small, early maturing hog are indicative of insuffi- 

 cient capacity as associated with bone development. The 

 size which an animal attains can be no greater than the 

 maximum number of structural units which are normally 

 present in the framework. An animal may be forced on the 

 right kinds of feeds and thus induce greater development. 

 However, such a method of feeding would not always be 



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