114 



THE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



named classes are now nearly extinct, I will briefly notice the 

 characteristics of the latter. 



The face, throat, chest, lower part of the body and legs, 

 together with the crest or mane, and the tip of the tail, a 

 beautifully clear white. The horns yellow or white waxy 

 appearance, frequently darker at the end; those of the bull 

 should spring out in a nearly straight line from a broad, flat 

 forehead ; whilst those of the cow have a waive or slightly 

 upward tendency. The countenance, pleasant, cheerful, and 

 open, presents a placid appearance, denoting good temper and 

 that quietude so essential to the successful grazing of all 

 ruminating animals ; yet the eye is full and lively. The head is 

 small in comparison to the substance of the body ; muzzle 

 white and moderately fine ; cheek thin ; chest deep and full ; 

 shoulder blades thin, flat, and sloping towards the chine, and 

 well covered on the outside with mellow flesh ; kernel well up 

 from the shoulder point to the throat, and so beautifully do the 

 blades blend into the body that in a first-class well-fed animal 

 it is difficult to tell where they are set on; the chine and loin 

 broad ; legs straight and small, the rump forming a straight 

 line with the back ; thighs full of flesh to the hocks ; a well- 

 sprung rib and deep flank. The whole carcase well and evenly 

 covered with rich mellow flesh, distinguishable by its yielding 

 with a pleasant elasticity to the touch, and a hide thick yet 

 mellow, well covered with glossy hair, having a tendency to curl. 



The "Herd Book" was commenced by Mr. T. C. Eyton, of 

 Eyton Hall, Salop, in 1846, and the two volumes published by 

 him contain the pedigrees of 901 bulls, but no cows. A revised 

 edition of those volumes and seven others were published by 

 the writer, who conducted the work from the year 1857 to 1878. 

 At the commencement of his labours, he added that very 

 essential part to all herd books, the pedigrees of cows with their 

 produce, and illustrated the work with faithful likenesses of 

 first-class breeding animals. The qualification for their being 

 so placed was their having won a first prize at a show of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of England. 



After the publication of the ninth volume he found it neces- 

 sary to dispose of the copyright, and succeeded in forming the 

 Hereford Herd Book Society. It was incorporated on March 5, 



