4 
EDITORIAL. 
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the direction of Matilda, the queen of William the Conqueror, the cattle represented 
are fairly good portraits of Norman cattle ar they are seen to-day. Great care has 
been taken to preserve the purity of the race, and to this end a herdbook was estab¬ 
lished in 1883, and is still maintained. It is entitled the “ Herdbook d’Isigny et du 
Bessin, ’’ and is edited and published under the charge of a commission elected for 
three years by the Societe d’Agriculture. This commission consists ef eighteen mem¬ 
bers of the society, assisted by three veterinarians, and every animal must undergo 
a rigid inspection before it can be admitted to registry. 
The importation of a breeding herd of Norman cattle is an event which may 
prove to be of some importance to American live-stock interests. This land of cheap 
and abundant food material would seem to be the very place for these gross feeders, 
with their immense capacity for turning grain and forage into milk and beef. If 
they sustain the claims made for them, and prove to be adapted to American condi¬ 
tions of soil and climate, they can scarcely fail to be a valuable acquisition. 
Veterinary Legislation In New York State.—O f all 
the states in the country there is probably none where veterinary 
legislation receives more attention. 
The legislature this time has had quite a number of bills pre¬ 
sented—First one, fathered, we understand, by the New York 
State Veterinary Society, relates to Veterinary Education in the 
State—What will be the result of the efforts made by the friends 
of the bill, we cannot yet tell. The proposed measure is full of 
good suggestions and of good points, but is not probably yet 
what is wanted. The profession may be prepared for it. Some say 
yes, others say no; and amongst those must be found the friends 
of a second bill, introduced to extend the time of registration. 
All friends of advancement and regulation of Veterinary practice 
will be pleased to hear that the measure has been killed and it 
is to be hoped will never be revived. 
A third bill found its way in the Legislature—recommended 
by the Societies of the State; it has for its object the exemption 
of Veterinarians from jury duty. An unanimous vote of the bill 
in both houses have brought it before the Governor of the State 
for his signature. 
As the measure has passed and has become a law, the 
Veterinary profession has reached one step higher in the 
ranks of professional standing and it is but justice to say that to 
Dr. Arthur O’Shea the credit is due of having been the main de- 
