888

BRITISH BREEDS OF CATTLE.

By some naturalists the Cape ox (Bos Caffer, Sparrm.) is made a separate species of buffalo (Bubalus Caffer, Smith). It has very massive horns, which cannot easily be removed from the core, bending downward and outward, the points swoop upward and inward, their length is about thirty-four inches, span thirty-seven to forty inches.

BRITISH BREEDS.-The crosses and varieties of English cattle are generally so well known to those who take an interest in stock, that it will only be necessary to enumerate and figure a few of the prominent varieties, giving more attention to descriptions of some of the continental breeds, which are less common.

The Short-horns are an improved breed, now very generally distributed and much esteemed, in favour both with the dairyman and grazier. The colour is red or white, or a mixture of both. All the points of the animal combine to form a symmetrical harmony, which is not surpassed in beauty and sweetness by any other species of the domesticated ox. (See p. 85.)

The Devon is a medium-sized breed, generally of a bright red colour, peculiar to the south of England. They fatten faster, and with less food than most other cattle, and their flesh is excellent. (See Devon Yearling Heifer, p. 119.)

The Hereford oxen are much larger than the Devon, and of a darker red; some are dark yellow, and a few brindled; they generally have white faces, bellies, and throats; they fatten to a much greater weight than the Devons. (See p. 87.)

The Jersey or Alderney is a small delicate breed common in the Channel Islands; they are in general fine boned, and of a light red or yellowish colour. Their milk is very rich, but is rather more yellow or high-coloured than that of other sorts; they are much inclined to fatten, and their beef has a very fine grain, and is well tasted.* (See Jersey Bull, p. 121.)

On the west wall in the Food Gallery there are fine stuffed

* For the illustrations of prize British cattle we are indebted to the Agricultural Gazette.

90

CONTINENTAL BREEDS OF CATTLE.

heads of the principal breeds of cattle, such as Shorthorns, Longhorns, polled Angus, Galloway, Hereford, and Scotch neat.

CONTINENTAL BREEDS.

SCANDINAVIAN CATTLE.-The Thelemark race is one of the few constant races of cattle, perhaps the only one, which Norway possesses. It is a well-defined mountain race. The animal is of diminutive size, as is well indicated in the illustration (p. 89) by the stature and attitude of the servant. Full-grown cows rarely attain a greater weight than 660 to 770 lbs. The most remarkable points in the Thelemark breed are the slender form, small head, with long well-shaped horns (on which buttons are usually placed), the sprightly movement, and the bright colouring. This last varies very much, from quite white to tolerably dark, but usually the variations are those of red, spotted, and brindled. More than sixty per cent. of the cattle of Sweden, and more than seventy per cent. of those in Norway, are milch cows. The price of good animals ranges from £5 11s. to £6 135. and some few remarkable animals have sold for £11 and upwards.

Most of the country cattle of Sweden are some shade of red, with a certain amount of white, especially about the face, but not so constantly as with our Herefords; the colour also varies from nearly yellow to a deep red. The production of milk and not of meat is the great object of the Scandinavian farmer.

The best type is known as the Herrgards or nobles' race (see p. 91), a name which formerly distinguished it from the less-cultivated type that was bred by the peasants. Mr. Jenkins, in his report on the Agriculture of Sweden and Norway, mentions the fact that one cow of this race gave as much as 920 gallons of milk per annum, and others yielding from 575 to 690 gallons have not been uncommon on the royal estates. Peasants' cows do not, however, yield anything like this quantity, from 200 to 300 gallons being a high average.

AUSTRIAN CATTLE.

91

AUSTRIAN CATTLE.-Naturalists agree in considering the Hungarian ox as the best living representative of one at least of the original progenitors of our domestic cattle.

These it is believed owe their origin to three distinct types, viz.: Bos primigenius, B. longifrons, and B. frontosus. The two last are extinct as wild races, and are solely represented by certain

types of domesticated cattle. Bos primigenius still exists in a semiwild state in Chillingham Park, and is closely allied to both the Pembroke cattle of South Wales, and the beautiful Devons. The Hungarian and Podolian oxen are also considered to be more or less pure representatives of the primigenius type.

The Hungarians are justly proud of their oxen, which are used as working cattle over the whole empire. Professor Wrightson states that it is no uncommon sight to see a team of oxen