The Nervous System. 101 



large number of fine blood vessels, this characteristic 

 is made use of in the detection of disease. 



Above and behind the eye is a pad of fat, filling up 

 the hollow space there, in old animals the fat partially 

 disappears. The eyes should be clear and free from 

 tears, the pupils black, the eyelids thin and free from 

 wrinkles. Small eyes in horses are termed "pig eyes" 

 and are considered as a sign of inferior breeding. Horses 

 showing much white in their eyes are often suspected of 

 viciousness, if the ears are laid back and the teeth shown 

 such a suspicion is likely warranted. The eyes should 

 be placed wide apart, thus giving the wide forehead 

 considered by many as one indication of a pleasant, rea- 

 sonable disposition. 



The ears or organs of hearing are rather complex inter- 

 nally, the outer portion, consisting of cartilage (gristle) 

 covered with skin, being all that is of much interest to 

 the stockman. The erect, alert ear is desired as being 

 an indication of health and vigor, although in horses, 

 the lopped ears are not always indicative of ill health or 

 the tired feeling; in sheep, however, the ears droop con- 

 siderably during sickness. The ears should be fine, thin 

 and lean so that they are semi-transparent, all evidences 

 of breeding. Horses suffering from blindness have quick 

 moving, restless ears. 



The external ear is gristly and contains sebaceous 

 glands, the secretion of which gives the color to the 

 inside of the ear, bright yellow being desired by the 

 dairyman. In the external ear is the entrance to the 

 middle ear containing the ear drum and small bones, 

 internal still in the nerve of hearing located in the inner 



