GENITAL ORGANS OF THE COW.
The ovaries of the cow are comparatively smaller than those of the mare, but resemble them in structure.
The uterus or womb of the cow somewhat resembles that of the mare, but the inner membrane is different, being covered with sixty or eighty mushroom-like bodies about the size of a pigeon’s egg, more flattened out. These bodies receive the name of cotyledons; to these the placenta or afterbirth is attached—a very important point with which every person interested should be familiar. These may be felt by examining a cow soon after calving. The passage from the womb of the cow is shorter than that of the mare, but is formed on the same principles.
The mammary glands constitute an organ termed the udder, which is composed of two symmetrical halves, placed one against the other. Each half is again divided into two distinct glands, each with its own teat, so that the udder consists of four mammae and four teats; behind this there may be two small rudimentary teats. In the center of each quarter, just at the base of the teat, is a large cavity, the general receptacle of all the milk ducts. From this cavity, which is sometimes large enough to contain a quart, proceeds down the center of the teat one defined canal from which the milk is drawn.
In the small ruminants as the sheep and goat there are two mammae and two teats, constructed like those of the cow.
CHAPTER V.
ANGIOLOGY.
Blood-Vascular System of the Horse.