Devon Cattle. 



49 



broad indented forehead is desired, and it should taper con- 

 siderably to the nostrils, which should be high and open. The 

 nose a creamy white, thin ears, a clean cut throat, and a bright, 

 lively, and prominent eye are all points of importance. The 

 horns should match, and should be long and spreading, with 

 ends gracefully turning up. Their colour is similar to that of 

 the bull. 



The deep broad and strong chest, the fineness of the 

 withers, the sloping shoulders, the large and pow^-rful forearm, 

 the extensive and swelling quarters, not only denote beef but 

 also strength and activity. During the beginning and middle 



Fig. 2.— Devon Heifer. 



of last century the Devon ox was well known as a draught 

 animal. " Where the ground is not too heavy, the Devonshire 

 oxen are unrivalled at the plough. They have a quickness of 

 action which no other breed can equal and which very few 

 horses exceed. They have also a degree of docility and 

 goodness of temper, and also stoutness and honesty of work, 

 to which many teams of horses cannot pretend." These are 

 the words of Youatt when writing on this breed. Vancouver, 

 in his survey of Devonshire, says that it is a common day's 

 work on fallow land foi- four steers to plough two acres with a 

 double furrow plough. They were usually put to work at two 



