Chapter XLVI. 



TEXAS CATTLE. 



On the ranges of the Southwest have existed for many years vast 

 herds of cattle, which by their peculiar characters effectually trans- 

 mitted to their offspring may be classed as a breed. Although known 

 as "Texas Cattle," the same race extends throughout Mexico, and has 

 been pretty well scattered through the more northern and western ter- 

 ritories of the United States. According to Allen (American Cattle), 

 "they are the descendants of the early Spanish stock introduced into 

 Mexico in the i6th century;" and this is undoubtedly correct, as a com- 

 parison of Texas cattle with the modern cattle of Spain would show 

 even at this time, after centuries of changed conditions a marked 

 similarity. 



The same original stock must also have furnished a nucleus for the 

 now almost countless bovine population of South America. In this 

 connection we quote Prof. Low (Domestic Animals of Great Britain) : 



"The origin of those amazing herds which cover the plains of Paraguay, Buenos 

 Ayres and other noble provinces is traced by Spanish writers to the arrival, by way of 

 Brazil, of seven cows and a bull from Andalusia, at the City of Assumption, on the Para- 

 guay, in the year 1556." 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color varies; light dun and mouse color are, perhaps, most com- 

 mon, but red, yellow and black and each with all styles of white 

 markings are found. A point already mentioned in the chapter on 

 Jerseys is the usually lighter color of the hair bordering the muzzle a 

 peculiarity doubtless derived from the cattle of Spain, where it is com- 

 monly observed. In size they vary according to the quality of range, 

 but as a rule are small bulls weighing from 1,000 to 1,200 Ibs. ; cows 

 from 600 to goo Ibs. Texas steers at four years old, grass fat, generally 

 weigh from 900 to 1,200 Ibs. The distinguishing feature lies in the 

 extraordinary size of the horns ; these assume various wide, spreading 

 shapes, sometimes measuring upwards of four feet from tip to tip. 



The cows are practically worthless for the dairy few giving more 

 than one or two gallons per day on good feed ; but the value of the race 

 to the whole country where it finds a natural home can hardly be over- 

 estimated. The improved breeds have found in this hardy stock a 

 basis which receives most kindly the blood of improvement ; indeed, but 



