836 
Recent Afiricuiturat RiibLicativnu. 
tlie skeleton the position of the limbs is made the subject of a series 
of diagrams, two of which are here given, fig. 1 illustrating the 
normal position of the fore-limb, and fig. 2 of the hind-limb. With 
regard to the fore-limb, it is stated that normally the axis of the 
shoulder-blade makes an angle of 1 40° with the spine ; the humerus 
90°, and frequently 100°, with the shoulder-blade ; and similar 
angular measurements are given throughout. The limbs are defined 
as being in a normal position when the weight of the body is uni- 
formly distributed on them ; and in a “ correct ” position when the 
width between the fore-limbs is equal to that between the hind- 
limbs. In the latter case the limbs should hide each other when 
regarded either from the front or from the back ; in milch cows, 
however, this is not the case. The “ narrow-kneed,” “ goat-footed,” 
and other abnormal characters of the limbs are described and 
illustrated. 
Next is discussed the influence of climate, food, and exercise 
upon the development of the body. As regards food, reference is 
made to Julius Lehmann’s account of pigs that had been fed on 
materials rich in carbohydrates ; potatoes, for example. The 
animals remained lean and progressed but slowly, yet were note- 
worthy for the size of their heart, lungs, and liver. Similarly, in the 
case of cattle, Baudement found the breast- measurement larger in 
early-matured fat oxen, but the weight of the lungs nevertheless 
smaller than in late-matured beasts. The skin and hair, head, body, 
and limbs are successively passed under review, reference being 
made to the circumstance that the skin is thicker on the hind 
quartei’s than on the breast. Of the parts of the head the cheeks 
are usually fuller in the case of younger animals, and are more fleshy 
in bulls than in cows. Notice is taken of the practice of dishorning 
cattle in the United States, based on the grounds (1) that the 
animals can feed together better, and more can be kept in a given 
space ; (2) that railway or steamship transport is cheaper, as well as 
less dangerous both to the beasts themselves and to the persons who 
* have charge of them. To perform the operation the animal is 
tied up in the ordinaiy way, the head is raised by means of a halter, 
and each horn is sawn off in four or five strokes. The animal paws 
the ground somewhat, but there is little loss of blood, and the 
wound gradually heals. In cows the quantity of milk declines at 
dishorning, but inasmuch as the percentage of fat rises the produc- 
tion of that ingredient cannot be seriously affected. 
The third section, occupying 250 pages. Is the longest in the 
book, and treats of the following four main groups of European 
breeds : — 
A. Early or primitive cattle . . . Aos taurus primiyenim. 
B. Cattle with long foreheads . . Bos taurus lonyifrons. 
C. Cattle with large or broad foreheads . Bos taurus frontosus. 
1). Short-headed cattle .... Bos taurus brachycephalus. 
To group A belongs Bos taurus primiyenius yennaidcus, var. 
anylo-saxoniens, under which the author includes the Shorthorn 
and the lied Polled breeds. To the same group are referred the 
