AN ESSAY ON FAT AND MUSCLE. 
675 
mesh work ; and where there is a hard feel, it arises from the cellular 
membrane participating in the hardness of the hide, and therefore 
being less capable of dilatation by the interstitial deposit. 
Smallness of bone is another indication of early maturity, since 
it must be evident that a breed of animals that will attain their full 
size of bone at an early age will be a much more profitable breed 
to the grazier than one of slower growth. 
The size of the head of an ox affords another indication of a 
capacity to carry fat in an eminent degree. When the head of a 
bull approaches to the narrow elongated form of the female, he will 
be extremely docile, but will have lost much of his masculine 
character :• his stock will be certain to fatten readily, but will not 
carry much muscle. 
The ears should be thin, coarse ears being a certain sign of a 
coarse breed. 
The horns should be fine, a coarse and thick horn being an 
indication of an ill-bred animal. Wherever there is a tendency in 
a breed to thick and coarse hides, the horns are generally found 
coarse and thick also. The horns, hoofs, hair, and cuticle, seem 
to be intimately connected : they resemble each other in their 
chemical composition, differing only in their degree of hardness 
and condensation. 
These products are remotely connected with the vital actions of 
the systems with which they are associated ; and however they 
may differ in form, uses, and external appearance, they are all 
produced by the same kind of vascular structure ; and though 
variously arranged to suit the particular circumstances in each 
case, yet the mode of their development and growth is essentially 
the same. 
A thin neck is another indication of a delicate breed, either in 
bulls or rams; a thin neck, on the contrary, indicating large 
muscles and a good constitution. Proportion is another sign or 
token by which to judge of the disposition of an animal to carry a 
fair proportion of muscle. There should always be a proportionate 
union of length, depth, and thickness : no matter what the weight 
or size of the animal may be, these three properties are indispen- 
sable, if the breeder’s object is to obtain the greatest weight of 
meat on the most valuable points. 
The immense difference in the size of the different breeds of 
cattle or horses is beyond our control, although man has produced 
wonders even in this respect. Generally speaking, they assume a 
certain character, dependent on the food which they obtain ; for 
where food is abundant, they are found of a large size, and, where 
deficient, they are found of a diminutive breed. But this truth 
holds good only as it regards the different races, and not the in- 
