478 Guenon^s System of Selecting Cows hy the Escutcheon. 
nature of its feed ; also, it is to be seen better when the animal 
is near her period of calving, or just after it, as the udder, the 
veins, &c., are more distended. The drawings of Guenon 
represent the escutcheon as it would be seen if the skin of the 
udder and the escutcheon were stretched upon a board ; and it 
oftentimes can be seen much better and more truly if the thighs 
are stretched apart, and the skin distended by the hands. If in 
winter there is any difficulty in seeing the outlines of the 
escutcheon clearly, by drawing the back of the hand down it. 
with the nails downward, they will rub against the up-growing 
hair, and it will thus be easily defined. Also, if the cow advances 
a few steps slowly, it will show the different parts more surely. 
The escutcheon also indicates, in all animals whose escutcheons 
are of the first order, that are in good health, and to which no 
accidents have happened, as plainly its generative ability as its 
production of milk. It is therefore highly important that the 
bull should have a good escutcheon as well as good shape, fine 
hair, and mellow skin. 
Names of the Escutcheons. 
The names which Guenon gave to his ten classes of escut- 
cheons were arbitrary, and have but little significance. 
Fig. 1. — Flanders : — First Class, First Order. 
Tiventy quarts, Nine montJis. 
'I he first class he called Flandrine, or Flanders, because it is 
tlio best ; and he named it after the best cows he knew, — those 
from Flanders or tlie Flemish breed, and they had more cows 
with this escutcheon than those of any other breed. 
