298 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the herd will cross the spot without manifesting the greatest 

 uneasiness. 



The bulls which are tame and good natured can be kept in 

 the lower and more frequented pastures, but in the higher Alps 

 very wild and dangerous animals are often to be met with. 

 They are compactly built — their thick heads are covered with 

 curly fore locks, and their general appearance is proud and 

 defiant. A stranger visiting these pastures, especially if he 

 have a dog with him, will attract the observation of a bull a 

 long way off, and if he has a stick or a bit of red cloth about 

 him, the bull becomes infuriated, and he is in great danger. 

 He must run for the hut, or get behind a tree or wall, for any 

 attempt at defence is useless, and the bull would sooner be cut 

 in pieces than retire from the contest. The herdsmen rarely 

 expose themselves to such attacks, but we once saw one, with 

 astonishing presence of mind, seize a raving bull by the horn 

 by the right hand, and strike him on the mouth with his left ; 

 then catching hold of the tongue he gave it a twist, and whirl- 

 ing the animal round with the strength of a Hercules, threw 

 him to the ground. He never afterwards ventured to attack a 

 man. Tlie moiuitain cows seldom attack men, but they often 

 show the most violent antipathy to strange dogs, and they will 

 sometimes unite and wage battle with the enemy, who always 

 finds it best to put his tail behind his legs and run away. 



The value which the Swiss cowherd sets upon the beauty of 

 his cows is well known. But there are no generally recognized 

 principles of taste in the selection, and the points of beauty 

 vary in the different cantons. The Bernese peasant likes a red 

 ov speckled cow, the Schwytzer rather liave a dark chestnut 

 color. In the Simmentlial a thick bull head is the style, and 

 in the Entlebucth a fine feminine head is liked better. It is 

 curious to watch a cowherd get enamored with the beauty of a 

 cow. How eagerly he bids for a handsome one, and how loth 

 he is to part with one. This has cost many a man his whole 

 substance, while too little attention is paid to more important 

 points. 



The day of migration to the Alps, which usually takes place 

 in May, is the most festive season of tlie year, both for cattle 

 and herdsmen. In many valleys the custom of celebrating the 

 anniversary of the patron saints at this season still prevails. 



