Hereditary Diseases of Sheep and Pigs. 
37 
meets the cliest, for a small thin neck, especially in the ram, is 
generally an indication of weakness and want of stamina. The 
chest should be wide and deep, in order to allow sufficient room 
for the free action of the lungs. Thin narrow-chested sheep 
always consume an amount of food disproportionate to their 
improvement in weiglit and condition, and are especially prone 
to diseases of the respiratory organs. The shoulders ought to be 
widely apart, and thickly invested with muscle ; and the arm 
straight, strong, and covered with well-developed flesh, which 
should e.'itend down nearly to the knee. This, like all the other 
joints, should be of good size and well-proportioned. Below the 
knee and hock, the bones should be neither too thick and coarse, 
nor too small and fine ; for tlie former fault, besides being un- 
symmetrical, evidences a proclivity to rheumatic affections ; 
and the latter, though indicating a disposition to arrive early at 
maturity, is generally an evidence of want of vigour. The back 
should be straight, broad, and well-covered with muscle. The 
ribs should be attached to the spine almost at right angles, well 
arched, and extending far back so as to diminish as much as 
possible the space between the last rib and the prominence of 
the haunch. The pelvis should be square and large in 
order to allow of the ample deposition of muscle and fat. The 
tail should be well set on, giving the quarters a square or round 
appearance. A sheep with thin, angular, ragged quarters and a 
badly set on tail, with the usual accompaniment of a large flat 
belly, will never thrive well, and will, moreover, be very liable 
to suffer from diarrhoea and dysentery. The loins should be 
thickly covered both outside and in with well-developed muscle, 
for being parts particularly prized by the butcher they cannot 
well be too large. The legs must be short in proportion to the 
size of the body, for animals of this conformation are always 
found to thrive and fatten best. The skin should be thin, fine, 
and mellow, and the wool abundant and of medium fineness. 
Curly wool sometimes shows a special tendency to fatten, and 
bareness of wool about the head, legs, or belly is always an indi- 
cation of a delicate constitution. A sheep of any breed what- 
ever, if possessed of these good points, thus briefly noticed, will 
be of a strong and vigorous constitution, and exempt from all 
hereditary defects and diseases, will arrive early at maturity, 
thrive well, and fatten rapidly. 
III. Hereditary Defects and Diseases of Pigs. — Pigs, when 
carefully managed, are hardy and little liable to disease. The 
Avild breeds in both the old and new worlds are remarkably 
healthy ; but it must be recollected that they constantly breathe 
pure fresh air, have regular exercise, feed moderately on roots 
and fruits, and carefully avoid all kinds of filth, for they are 
