THE SIMILITUDE OF THE COW 27 



bones present a series of angles, and the hock or 

 joint points backward; the feet are set obliquely, 

 as in front. But while the support appears to be 

 insecure — an appearance that is much accentuated 

 when the skeleton is in view — ^the series of angles 

 and indirections provide for movement in all direc- 

 tions and great elasticity of stride. The hoofs are 

 two-parted, carrying forward the line of the lower 

 leg and fetlock, and make the characteristic double 

 footprint. The tail hangs straight from the top of 

 the hip, continuing the extension of the backbone, 

 with the fly-brush comprising the lower half; it is 

 well provided with muscles and is capable of mak- 

 ing a quick and powerful sweep. 



In general, the back presents a straight line 

 from hip to shoulder, often with a downward curva- 

 ture; the line rises slightly over the shoulders, and 

 then takes a downward and upward curve to the 

 poll of the head. The lower line of the body pre- 

 sents a graceful upward curve at the rear, disclos- 

 ing the udder; thence there is nearly a straight 

 course to the front legs; and beyond and be- 

 tween the legs extends the brisket, like the prow 

 of a ship, following upward into the folds of 

 the soft dewlap that depends from the neck. 

 The most graceful part of the animal is the 

 upper neck, attractive in conformation, flexible, 

 soft and pleasant to the feel ; it is about the neck 

 that one wants to throw the arm, for a cow re- 

 sponds to affection. 



