Guenons System of Selecting Cows hj the Escutcheon. 467 
which to distinguish cows, and to know their good and bad 
qualities. 
After years of perseverance, he got his ideas into such a fixed 
arrangement that he was emboldened to give it to the world, and 
stand the scrutinizing tests of committees of various agricultural 
societies. The result was shown in the many orders for his 
book, the medals and membership certificates of the leading 
societies, and a pension from the government of three thousand 
francs for life. The value of the system was established. It 
has spread into every country where agriculture is encouraged, 
and his work has been frequently translated. 
His system was based upon the discovery that on the posteriors 
of the bovine race, reaching from the vulva, and extending down 
over the udder and on the inside of the thighs, a portion of the 
hair grew upwards, and was easily distinguished from the sur- 
rounding hair growing downwards. In so doing, the upward 
hair takes different shapes, which he called escutcheons. The 
size and shape of these indicate the quantity of milk the cow 
will give and the length of time she will continue to milk after 
calving. This latter was also affected by certain tufts of coarse 
hair or blemishes on the escutcheon. 
Then he noticed the character of the hair growing upon the 
escutcheon, the colour of the skin under it, and the quality of 
the skin. It depends upon the quality of the hair and skin to 
define the quality or richness of milk the animal will give. 
Particular attention must be given to these points, for they 
have a great bearing on the judgment to be formed ; and the 
escutcheon is only to be judged in connection with these and 
other points. 
The rules of the system are as applicable to calves and bulls 
as to cows ; for by them can be told, after three months, whether 
it will pay to raise the calf, or to dispose of it, — if a cow calf, 
whether it promises either or both quantity and quality ; if a 
bull calf, whether his " get " is likely to prove valuable. In 
either sex, the young should be judged by class and size of 
escutcheon, by the colour and texture of the skin and hair. 
Thus a saving is effected in not being at the expense of raising 
a poor calf, and not being disappointed in future results. From 
this ability to raise or purchase only the best, the improvement 
of the herds will be very great, and we shall breed only the best. 
The main theory of Guenon was, that in a good animal a 
number of points would be discernible, which would enable any 
one to select the good from the bad. So far from judging by 
one mark alone — the escutcheon, as it is generally stated — he 
expressly declares that ten points must conform to make a first- 
class animal, and these must be supplemented by several minor 
