2G0 
The AjipNcalions of Plujsiohxjy 
the proj^cny of < onsnjni)live parents arises from an imparted de- 
licacy of the lunsfs. 
Now, should further confirmation of these views be obtained — 
and I have little doubt that they will — it would be very valuable 
to obtain a series of averages, representing the size and weight of 
the lungs of difTerent breeds of cattle ; for thus we should be fur- 
nished with a rational guide to enable us to discover the manner 
in which we can best convey to a breed an aptitude to fatten. 
Donaldson asserts that the properties of a milch-cow and of a 
cow disposed to fatten are quite incompatible. This must be 
entirely a mistake. The very circumstance of a cow yielding 
much butter in her milk shows that her food is readily converted 
into fat. She would not be a good milch-cow if she fattened at 
the same time that milk was secreted. But when the milk has 
ceased to flow, then she must have an aptitude to fatten rapidly. 
Small lungs must he particularly favourable to a milch-cow. In 
fact the breed of short- horns shows that practice proves what 
theory indicates ; for they both fatten well, and are good milch- 
cows. They may not secrete so much milk as certain other 
breeds ; but if our view of the smallness of their lungs be correct, 
their milk must be rich in butter. 
Several practical farmers, to whose judgment and experience I 
would pay the highest deference, inform me that I am decidedly 
wrong on this point. In defence I quote the Rev. H. Berry's 
opinion: — "The excessive quantities of milk obtained from the 
unimproved short-horns are seldom or ever obtained from the 
improved ; but a moderately good milker of the latter kind will 
be found to yield as much buiicr in the milk as one of the former ; 
the milk being unquestionably of very superior quality. ' (Youatt 
on Cattle, page 239.) Theoretically I cannot discover why the 
two qualities should be incompatible. That they often are so, I 
admit; but by attention to the habits of the animal, I think they 
might be harmonized. 
It must be observed that the fact of an animal possessing large 
lungs will not prevent a strong development of muscle, but may, 
on the contrary, tend to this. But the flesh in this case will be 
coarse, liery, and destitute of fat, as we observe in the unim- 
proved breeds. It is upon the unazotized portion of the food, or 
upon that which forms fat, that the oxygen inspired by the lungs 
principally acts. The large amount of air respired by the large 
lungs consumes this food, but does not so quickly attack the azotized 
portions. Such animals may therefore have coarse flesh, and con- 
sequently large intestines. And we know, in fact, that the offal 
of these slow feeders is greater than that of the kindly ones. 
All this may appear very chimerical to many of you, and further 
information may possibly overturn this opinion ; but until it does 
