104 THE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Eesiding within the district, he collected the best specimens 

 together; and, by careful selection and in-and-in breeding to the 

 blood of one cow, Favourite or Lady Maynard, reared a herd of 

 fine cattle, which were shown to arrive at maturity at a much 

 earlier age than had previously been seen anywhere. His 

 brother (Mr. Eobert Colling, of Barmpton) was also an eminent 

 breeder; and bred upon the same lines. Indeed, both brothers, 

 at first, used the same bulls. The former bred an ox of won- 

 derful dimensions, whose live weight was 34cwt. ; whilst the 

 latter exhibited a white heifer which obtained hardly less 

 celebrity. The bull Favourite (252) was the sire of both. 

 They travelled throughout England, and were shown in London, 

 as well as at the leading country towns. Their appearance, 

 followed shortly afterwards in 1810 by news of the sale of Mr. 

 Colling's herd at an average of 151Z. 8s. for forty-seven head, 

 brought the breed into general notoriety ; and, from the begin- 

 ning of this century. Shorthorns continued to spread rapidly, 

 until they may now be found in every county in great Britain 

 and Ireland. 



The breed is distinguished by its symmetrical proportions, 

 and by its great bulk on a comparatively small frame ; the offal 

 being very light, and the limbs small and fine. The head is 

 expressive ; being rather broad across the forehead, tapering 

 gracefully below the eyes to an open nostril and fine flesh- 

 coloured muzzle. The eyes are bright, prominent, and of a 

 particularly placid, sweet expression; the whole countenance 

 being remarkably gentle. The horns (whence comes the 

 name) are, by comparison with earlier breeds, unusually short. 

 They spring well from the head, with a graceful downward curl, 

 and are of a creamy white or yellowish colour ; the ears being 

 fine, erect, and hairy. The neck should be moderately thick 

 (muscular in the male), and set straight and well into the 

 shoulders. These, when viewed in front, are wide, showing 

 thickness through the heart ; the breast coming well forward, 

 and the fore legs standing short and wide apart. The back, 

 among the higher bred animals, is remarkably broad and flat ; 

 the ribs, barrel-like, spring well out of it, and with little space 

 between them and the hip bones, which should be soft and well 

 covered. The hind-quarters are long and well filled in, the tail 



