Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

CHAPTER X.
THE ANATOMY, USES, AND DISEASES OF THE
NOSTRILS AND THE MOUTH.
The nasal cavity of the ox contains the apparatus for the sense
oi imell, and is also devoted to the purpose of respiration. It is one
of the passages by which the air is conveyed to and from the lungs
bui as the ox partly breathes through the mouth, there are found
in the cavity of his nose oontrivanoes for great perfection of smelling.
THE NASAL BONES.
From the great development of the frontal bones, in order to form
a secure basis for the horn, all the bones of the face are proportiori-
ately diminished ; and therefore the nasal bones in the ox (6, p. 143,
g, p. 144,) are small. They are connected with each other, and with
the frontals (c, p. 143 and 6, p. 144), with the lacrymals (c, p. 143),
with the superior maxillaries (a, p. 144 and *, p. 143,) and with the
anterior maxillaries (», p. 144). They are pushed down, and not
being in a situation of danger, there is not any intricate and mor-
toised connection with any of the other bones except the frontals.
They are broad in proportion to their length ; and as, on account of
the construction of the mouth of the ox, the muzzle was destined
to be broad, each bone terminates in two points, with a hollow between
them; and as the inside points of the two lie in contact with
each other, the nasal bones may be considered as actually ending in
three points instead of one, and occupying a considerably-extended
surface. It is thus wide, for the greater attachment of muscle and
cartilage ; for the muzzle must be broad and thiok and strong, in
order to compress and hold the grass firmly, until it is partly cut
and partly torn by the pressure of the incisors of the lower jaw on
the pad which occupies the plage of the teeth in the upper one.
If the nasal bone be closely examined, it will be found that it does
not consist, in its under surface, of one continuous arch, but that
there is a channel hollowed out of it, and running along the crown
of tne arch. It can be seen above (r, p. 144.) This is an addition
to the upper meatus or passage of the nose above the upper turbi-
;