CATTLE, HOW TO BUY AND SELL. 
209 
yielding sides, free from tightness, (in aged animals the belly is often 
large, though the organs which it contains are in good condition) ; a largo 
mouth, thick and strong lips, a good appetite, easy and quick digestion, 
glossy hair, supple skin, yet firm, and somewhat oily to the touch. An- 
imals possessing these characteristics may be expected to feed and drink 
heavily, and, if they are properly fed, make much blood, and yield largo 
quantities of milk. 
Becpiration. 
The respiratory organs complete the system of nutrition. The lungs 
bring the air breathed into contact with the blood, and render the sys- 
tem of nourishment complete. Hence, a good form, quick digestion and 
a healthy condition of the lungs are necessary to the production of a 
largo ilow of milk. 
Milk Veins. 
If the veins which surround the udder are large, winding, and varicose 
(dilated at intervals), they show that the glands receive much blood, and, 
consequently, that their functions are active, and that the milk is abundant. 
The veins on the lateral parts of the belly are most easily observed, and 
all authors decide them to be among the best tests for ascertaining the 
activity of the glands. 
These veins issue from the udder, in front, and at the outer angle, where 
they form, in very good cows,' a considerable varicose swelling. They 
proceed toward the front part of the body, forming angles, more or less 
distinct, often divide towards their anterior extremity, and sink into the 
body by several openings. 
We can make the size of the milk veins prominent by compressing them 
in their passage, by pressing them at the place where they penetrate into 
the body. If wo press the thumb strongly into the opening through which 
the vein passes : the width of the opening represents the diameter of the 
vein, and the thickness of the thumb which stops it, represents the volume 
of blood whose place it occupies. Sometimes the veins are divided. It 
is then necessary to examine all the openings by which they pass, in or- 
der to form a correct estimate. 
Veins of the Udder and Twist. 
The veins of the udder and twist are able to furnish valuable indica- 
tions. They should, in both cases, be highly developed, large and vari- 
cose ; that is, appear swollen and knotty. The veins of the udder have 
