FRANCE. 257 



has a small, bony structure, qualifying it for taking flesh. TLio peculiar 

 bony structure belongs to the race therefore it has been demonstrated; 

 that if these animals are well fed from their birth, they will at an early 

 age return good profit for their keeping for the sole purpose of food. 



THE GASCON BREED. 



All agree that the race Gasconne is especially adapted to work. Its 

 prominent features are briskness and force for work. It is principally 

 found in the department of Gers, a very broken country, where the cul- 

 tivation of the hills is difficult and laborious. Its powers are hero put 

 to constant proof. Its faults are those of a race given up to work en- 

 tirely, and that of the hardest kind. The oxen are worked until they 

 are twelve to fifteen years old, and then fitted as well as may be for the 

 butcher. 



Compared with the races Bazadaise and Garonuaise it lias many 

 traits in common. The race Gasconno is slower and more clumsy, but 

 more vigorous, stiff at work, like the soil it cultivates. The Garouuaise 

 is more precocious. The race Bazadaise is more lively, better adapted 

 to the light soil that it dwells upon, and above all to the fatigue of 

 long journeys, which ifc bears astonishingly. The cows of this breed 

 are more in number than the oxen and are submitted to very rough 

 work. They are poor milkers, scarcely affording nourishment for their 

 calves. 



In that part of France they cook with oil and fat, and there is little 

 demand for butter. Those who wish for milk buy the little Bretonncs 

 which are found in great numbers in the Pyre"n6es, and from Bordeaux 

 to the eastern limits of the Biscayau country. 



There are numerous subraces, considered distinct, notedly those com- 

 ing under the head of Arie'ge', but they would scarcely interest those 

 studying the French races from an American point of view. 



CATTLE OF THE PYRENEES. 



Although ifc is admitted that there are many varieties, known as " Bas- 

 luaise," "Baretone," "Landaise," they resemble one another so closely 

 hat ifc would simplify matters much to generalize them as "races des 

 'yrtinees" or races of the Pyrenees. Like all the mountain races, these 

 ucrease in size when taken to fertile plains. They are not very great 

 uilkcrs, but there arc found exceptional co\vs which give a fair average, 

 but they are more or less uniformly good workers^ and can be fattened 

 fairly after their days for labor aro.over. 



ALGERIAN CATTLE. 



The race of Algiers is not very generally known, but as stock- 

 raisers send yearly a large number of cattle to Marseilles, as well as the 

 interior of France, a brief sketch of this race might not be out of place. 

 The co.it is generally brown or mauve, sometimes drab or chestnut, 

 nore or less mottled, seldom clear. Its girth varies from 3 feet 9 inches 

 o -4 feet 5 inches. The smaller animals are found in the mountains, the 

 arger in the richer valleys. 



Characteristics. Frame rather large than small; head wants fineness, 



without being exactly heavy and large ; limbs large and firmly attached ; 



horns large and colored, their direction upwards and circular; body 



short, thick and round; withers thick; sides well arched; chest fair 



H. EX. 51 17 



