68 EVOLUTION OF BRITISH CATTLE 



Norway, especially in Akershus and Smaalenene, 

 the indigenous breed is constantly red and polled. 

 In Esterdalen and Gudbrandsdalen, the two 

 large eastern valleys of the country, the native 

 breed is black or dun, in some cases red, most of 

 the individuals being horned : only a few are 

 polled. The breed in the western parts of 

 Norway we suppose to be the most ancient, or 

 one of the most ancient, in our country." 



The other quotation, and the following 

 illustration of a cow of the Swedish fell or 

 mountain (Fjall) race are taken from Sundbarg's 

 " Sweden, its Population and its Industries," 

 published in 1904. " The History of the cattle 

 in our country presents a good many vicissitudes. 

 The Law of Uppland, A.D. 1296, describes 

 Swedish cattle as being small, hornless, white 

 or whitish grey, often with dark spots. The 

 Alpine breed in Northern Sweden is so still, a 

 race we have every reason to consider as being 

 the oldest in the country." 



There is some doubt as to whether the 

 colour here called "whitish grey" is the same 

 as our light dun. Samples of hair which have 

 been procured through the kindness of several 

 correspondents in Sweden are some white and 

 some light dun. 



It ought to be mentioned that several of the 

 British " wild " white herds are, or were, hornless. 

 Their unfailing white colour suggests, however, 



