78 THE JERSEY, ALDERNEY AND GUERNSEY COW 



The distinctive signs which Guenon makes use of are, 

 the ttifts or epis^ and scutcheons or ecussons; they are 

 visible in all animals of the bovine race, without excep- 

 tion ; are situate over the perinaeum and inner surface 

 of the thighs, and can only be examined thoroughly 

 during the animal's movements. These signs charac- 

 terize the class and families, which only differ from each 

 other in the variable form of the scutcheon ; Guenon, 

 moreover, says that the names he has used are purely 

 conventional, having relation to the form of parts em- 

 ployed as signs, and he has especially avoided Greek 

 and Latin compounds. 



Ten forms of scutcheons have been described, and 

 constitute the basis of Guenon's classification. 



The surface of the scutcheon is distinguished by the 

 hair turned upwards, and opposite in direction to that 



Fig I. Fig. 2. Fig 3 



covering other parts of the animal's skin. This hair 

 differs from all the rest in color, and is fine, soft and 

 close. 



The scutcheon springs from the middle of the four 

 teats, whence a portion of its hair springs, and extends 



