BREEDS OF CATTLE 127 



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 

 should 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 being set square upon them; the thighs meet low down, 

 forming the full and deep twist; the flank should be deep, so as 

 partially to cover the udder, which should not be too large, but 

 placed forward, the teats being well-formed and square-set, 

 and of a medium size ; the hind legs should be very short and 

 stand wide and quite straight to the ground. The general ap- 

 pearance should show even outlines. The whole body is covered 

 with long, soft hair, there frequently being a fine undercoat; 

 and this hair is of the most pleasing variety of colour, from a 

 soft creamy white to a full deep red. Occasionally the animal 

 is red and white; the white being found principally on the 

 forehead, underneath the belly, and a few spots on the hind- 

 quarters and legs; in another group the body is nearly white, 

 with the neck and head partially covered with roan; whilst 

 in a third type the entire body is most beautifully variegated, 

 of a rich deep purple or plum-coloured hue. On touching the 

 beef points, the skin is found to be soft and mellow, as if lying 

 on a soft cushion. In animals thin in condition a kind of inner 

 skin is felt, which is the 'quality' or 'handling' indicative of 



