274 THE BREEDS OF LIV E-STOCK 
that function, but also the ability to endure long and well 
the strain of such function, and keep in good health. 
Constitution is best indicated by a full development at 
the navel, and strong abdominal walls, showing that the 
animal, when ina prenatal state, was abundantly nourished 
by the mother through a well-developed umbilical cord. 
Prepotency. — “In the scale for bulls, for the first time, 
we believe, in the history of dairy breeds, this point is 
introduced. The reason we have included it is that ‘ pre- 
potency’ is the chief consideration in the selection of a 
male breeding animal. The pedigree and conformation 
is often all that can be desired, but because the bull is 
lacking in prepotent breeding power he is an expensive 
failure. This quality is, in a sense, difficult to perceive 
or describe, but we know certain animals have it in high 
degree and others fail of it completely. It is fairly well 
indicated by vigor of appearance, strong resolute bearing 
and abundant nervous energy. We would distinguish 
this from an ugly disposition. A bull is ugly by the way 
he is handled rather than by his breeding. What we want 
is strong impressive blood. A dull sluggish spirit and 
action, we consider indicative of a lack of true dairy pre- 
potency, but we would prefer to breed to a rather sluggish- 
appearing bull with first-class rudimentaries than to a 
stylish one with badly placed rudimentaries. 
Rudimentary teats. — ‘‘ We consider that a well-balanced 
and well-shaped udder in the cow is largely due to the 
way the rudimentary teats are placed on the sire. If they 
are crowded close together the result is likely to be narrow, 
pointed udders. If they are placed well apart, of good 
size and well forward of the scrotum, the effect, we think, 
will be to influence largely the production of well-shaped 
udders in the resulting heifers, and counteract the tendency 
