SELECTION OF MILK COWS. 391 



are great discrepancies as regards individual constitution. Some 

 are more hardy than others, simply because certain causes, either 

 accidentally or designedly induced, have given them better diges- 

 tive powers, stronger lungs, and more vital energy. This supe- 

 riority of constitution, whatever may be its cause, is generally 

 indicated by a large, round body, a soft, flexible skin, by no 

 means thin, which is covered with a thick coat of soft, silky, or 

 woolly hair. A large paunch is usually the sign of an animal 

 which can, and will, consume a great quantity of fodder in the 

 shape of hay and straw; and this we know, by experience, to 

 be one of the best indications of a good, healthy, hardy, thriving 

 animal, whether cow, horse, or sheep. Strength of constitution 

 can be transmitted, as well as other peculiarities; so that a care- 

 ful breeder, by always breeding from animals that he knows to 

 be of good constitution, will ultimately succeed in strengthening 

 and improving his stock." 



Thus much from Mr. Haxton, — and it could not be better 

 said, — showing him to be a close observer, and understanding 

 well his subject. 



guenon's theory. 



We now come to the theory of M. Guenon, the mgenious 

 French writer, before named. Before discussing him, we wish 

 to remark, that he has reduced his theory, to what he' considered, 

 a science, and in its treatment has so ramified it into degrees, 

 and shades, as to somewhat confuse the ordinary observer, who 

 does not care to go into minute researches, and seeks only to 

 become familiar with the truth, if there be any, of his theory. 



His theory, or science, by whichever name called, is simply 

 this : It is well known that the hair, just above the udder of the 

 cow, grows transversely, or upward. This growth of the hair 

 he calls the escutcheon, and asserts that the more that upward 

 growth of the hair extends outward from the udder and inner 

 parts of the thighs, and upward towards the urinary passage 

 from the bladder, the better milker the cow is ; and as the hair 



