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Show Experiments in Taking and Classifying Nose-Prints of Cattle By CHARLES F. COLLISON, in Scientific American Magazine. Experiments in taking and classifying no6e-prints of cattle were began be-gan in October, 1921. As with finger-prints, two important points must be considered. Ii the cow's nose-print different from that of every other cow? And does the pattern remain the same at all ages? As with the human finger, both these questions must be answered in the affirmative before be-fore the nose-print will be of value in identification. The prints of more than 350 animals have been taken and carefully scrutinized. So far no two have been found even sufficiently alike to cause any uncertainty as to their being from different animals. And both growing grow-ing calves and older animals have been nose-printed for five consecutive months without indicating any change of design. A careful study of the print indicates that while there is enlargement of the nose, the arrange-, ment of the ridges remains fixed. The system is being given a practical test in connection with various official tests in Minnesota. Already its value has been manifest and it has straightened out several cases of disputed or mistaken identity. Perhaps its greatest value will be to the live stock insurance companies. All these concerns claim that they have paid many claims where they suspected but could not prove that the policy covered some other animal than the dead one. With a system of nose-print identification, such falsi claims could bo detected and proved. |