SELECTION OF MILK COWS. 369 



and strongly arched throughout their whole length, and more 

 especially at the upper extremity — when the withers are thick, 

 and the brisket rounded behind the arm and elbow — when the 

 spine is long, straight, horizontal, (not saddle-backed,) and the 

 loins are wide — when the air is inhaled without any appearance 

 of hurry, and exhaled from the chest in great puffs. 



" The movements of the flank are free, easy, and extensive, in 

 beasts which breathe well. 



"These properties of the digestive and respiratory organs indi- 

 cate that digestion and respiration, being well performed, furnish 

 an abundant and rich blood ; all the organs being in a state of 

 activity favorable for the exercise of their functions. Animals 

 combining these properties in full vigor, are capable either of 

 performing much work, or fattening rapidly, or giving much 

 milk, according to the predominance either of the power of 

 motion, viz.: the bones or muscles; or of the nutritive system, 

 viz.: the cellular and adipose tissues; or of the organs for pro- 

 viding milk, viz.: the glands giving milky secretions, and the 

 milk vessels. 



SHAPE. 



"Active milking glands are seldom found united with the 

 graceful, rounded forms, which constitute what is vulgarly called 

 beauty in quadrupeds. Most frequently, good milkers have sharp 

 points, and appear more or less loose and flabby. In regard to 

 bony structure, they may be as well formed as cows remarkable 

 for their readiness to fatten, or ability to work ; but, being seldom 

 in plump condition, they seem lean and raw-boned. 



" Hence, when a herd of cows have all been fed and kept in 

 the same way, it would not be proper to fix upon the beautiful 

 as the best milkers. In so doing, we should be almost invariably 

 mistaken. In the hind-quarters, there is often something defec- 

 tive in regard to form : they are largely developed, but the flesh 

 ia not in proportion to the bone, and the bony protuberances 

 are very visible ; the haunches stick out, and the pelvis is wide ; 

 16" 



