Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

THE SPINE. 241
larly. strong bone. It has much of the head and neck to support
and it is the fulcrum or fixed point on which all the other bones are
to move. Each rib is united to the spine by great strength of attachment.
They spring from the spine in a quite horizontal direction
and consequently, there is a provision for the capacity of the chest
above as well as below. They are large, for the attachment of much
muscle ; they spring out at once laterally, in order to secure that
permanent capacity of chest which the functions of the ox require.
In some breeds a little flat-sidedness (the less the better) may be
forgiven, because the width of the sternum belbw, and of the spine,
in some degree, but more particularly the springing out of the ribs
above, secure a sufficient capacity of chest. It is on this account that
the Devon ox is active and profitable while at work, and afterward
grazes kindly. The conformation of the bones just described gives
him a considerable capacity of chest, notwithstanding his somewhat
too flat sides : yet in the animal which was chiefly valued for his
grazing properties, something more would be looked for, and would
be found.
The shoulder being past, this horizontal projection of the ribs is
more and more evident ; and, in order that the ban-el-form shall be
as complete as can be, each rib is twisted. Its posterior edges are
turned upward and outward ; and' as, proceeding backward,' each
projects beyond the preceding one, not only until the eighth true rib
is passed, but also the five false ones, the carcass of a well-made,
profitable beast increases in width and in capacity, until we arrive at,
or nearly at, the loins. For illustration of this, reference may be
made to the cuts of the Kyloe, Galloway, New Leicester, or Shorthorn
cattle.
In point of fact, however, the thorax is now passed, and the abdomen
presents itself ; but the principle is the same : the ribs are spread
out, not only to afford room in the thorax for lungs considerably
larger than those of the horse, but for that immense macerating
stomach, the rumen, wich fills the greater part of the abdomen, and
which must be preserved as much as possible from injury and
pressure.
THE SPINE.
The spine of the ox has great size of the individual bones, a small
quantity of elastic ligamentous substance interposed between them,
and great length and roughness of all the processes. Two objects
are accomplished—sufficient strength is obtained for the protection of
the parts beneath, and for the purposes for which the animal may be
required, and as much roughened surface as possible for the insertion
of muscles. As thejoints are few, some provision sjeems to be made
for this, by their being complicated.
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