290 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



and powder-boxes; the blood is used concurrently 

 with the bone-black in refining sugar ; the intestines, 

 cured, twisted, and dried, are made into strings for 

 musical instruments; finally, the gall is frequently 

 turned to account by dyers and cleaners in cleaning 

 fabrics and partially restoring their original luster. 



"But this does not exhaust the list of the animal's 

 merits. Under man's care, under the influence of 

 climate, soil, and manner of living, the ox has become 

 modified and has given us many different breeds 

 that have adapted themselves to the most varied 

 conditions of existence; one breed furnishing more 

 work, another more meat, and still another more 

 dairy food, according to our choice. Among the 

 breeds scattered over France I will limit myself to 

 the following. 



"A stocky body, large and strong head, short, 

 thick horns, short and massive neck, powerful legs, 

 bold appearance, quick walk, medium-sized and well- 

 shaped body these natural endowments make the 

 Gascon breed one of the best for work. Its coat, 

 generally brown or tawny, is always lighter along 

 the back. The chief source of this breed is the de- 

 partment of Gers. 



"The Salers breed is originally from the depart- 

 ment of Cantal. Its coat is bright red, often with 

 white splashes on the rump and belly. The horns 

 are large, smooth, black at the tips, of symmetrical 

 shape, and pointing a little backward. Very rustic, 

 sober, intelligent, vigorous, inured to toil, the Salers 

 ox is an excellent worker. When fattened at the end 



