6 io 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XI, No ii. 
external width, 1 is not necessarily accompanied by a proportional increase 
in depth. If we view these conditions in relation to length ot body, 
considered in sheep of approximately equal length, we can describe the 
above classes as (i) strong constitutionally, but of inferior mutton type; 
(2) good mutton type, but weak constitutionally; (3) strong constitu¬ 
tionally and of good mutton type; and (4) weak constitutionally and of 
poor mutton type. However, this can be only a generalization appli¬ 
cable within breed types, as there is a marked racial difference in the 
ratio of depth to width between some breeds, as, for example, the South, 
down and Rambouillet. 
CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN PROPORTIONS DURING GROWTH 
In all of our domestic animals the conformation at birth differs more 
or less from that of the mature state. Young foals, calves, and lambs 
seem to have disproportionately long legs. In man the reverse is true. 
Young animals are in many respects undesirably proportioned. While 
nature exacts these conditions to meet the immediate physiological 
exigencies attendant on birth, she later makes the correction by differ¬ 
ences in the rate and degree of development of different somatic char¬ 
acters; in other words, the growth of the various somatic characters of 
an animal organism is by no means proportional. These type differences 
between new-born and adult are shown in Table I. This table shows 
measurements and weights of 62 animals taken at 14 days of age and 
again at an average age of 280 days. 2 * 
Since these measurements are intended to compare conformations 
rather than to compare size, the 14-day measure has been enlarged, 
first on the basis of shoulder height at 280 days to contrast comparisons 
of depth and length, and, second, on the basis of total length 8 to con¬ 
trast relationship of width and length. 
1 In addition to width (transverse diameter) the hereditary tendency to develop thickness of flesh must 
also be present. 
2 Only 40 animals are included in the later data, the remainder having been sold or killed by dogs. 
* Total length is the sum of three other dimensions—head length, neck length, and trunk length. 
