CHAPTER VII. 



Thb " Yield Mark " Transmitted by the Cow. 



Tlie Origin of Good Food Mill;iiig Families. 



Generally, it appears to be the opinion that inheritance 

 is more affected by male than by female power or influ- 

 ence, but probably this opinion is not well founded. This 

 view ma)' have arisen from so few male progenitors, com- 

 pared to the number of cows, being employed ; and that 

 male marks and forms are therefore transmitted in mani- 

 fold more instances than is practicable as to cow forms, or 

 their Yield Marks. But the number of instances of 

 transmission does not affect the question of prepotency in 

 the cow or bull ; as the general and vital organs and 

 parts, pertaining to consumption, digestion, assimila- 

 tion, nutrition, and locomotion, are possessed alike by 

 male and female cattle. So, in considering certain influ- 

 ences of transmissive power, it is important to remember 

 the distinction between growth that is indispensable to 

 life, and merely incidental growth or marks that may be 

 dispensed with without endangering existence. 



That calves, male as well as female, inherit from the 

 cow, in a large degree, is certain. If a bull calf from a 

 cow of large yield have large hind quarters, for instance, 

 this peculiarity will usually be found to have been derived 

 from the cow, even if indirectly, through several genera- 

 tions; for large hind quarters usually originate in the 

 acquired capacity of cows that yield much milk, from 

 long previous training, combined in some cases, perhaps, 

 with inherited growth of similar origin. But this form of 



