HISTORY OF THE OX. 23 



species no longer existing in a wild state, but which has 

 by the exertions of man, (as in the instance of the camel 

 and dromedary,) been for ages subjected to his power. 

 The remains of this animal have been found in a fosiil 

 state ; and it is upon the comparison of these remains with 

 the skeleton of the Auroch, the buffalo, and our domestic 

 races, that Cuvier has founded his opinion. 



The species which we intend more particularly to 

 describe at this time,' and which is represented in plate III., 

 is the ' Short-Horned British Breed of Cattle ;' so termed 

 in contradistinction to other breeds, where the horns are 

 long and slender. They are principally found in the 

 southern counties of England, where they are, even at this 

 day, very extensively bred; but have been extended, to a 

 certain extent, in almost all directions : into the United 

 States, Holland, Scotland, and various parts of Europe. 

 They were originally from a Dutch stock, and somtimes 

 bear that appellation. They are a handsome breed, com- 

 pact, yet elegant, rather smooth skins and thin hides, and 

 have often a pleasing arrangement of blended colors, of red 

 and white and a sort of roan, which sometimes almost 

 appears purple. They feed easily, and grow to a large 

 size ; and are prized as being capable of rearing to an 

 extraordinary heavy weight at a very early age. Tljeir 

 average weight is from 1200 to 2000 pounds ; and a few 

 examples are recorded of their exceeding even 3500 and 

 4000 pounds in weight. They are also most extensively 

 used for the dairy, yeilding abundant quantities of milk, 

 though it is supposed by some to be of rather an inferior 

 quality. It is, however, in considerable repute for its pro- 

 duce of butter, as it possesses both a rich color and good 

 flavor. 



The long-horned breed is deeper in the fore-quarter, and 

 lighter behind ; rather inferior to the short-horned in size ; 

 of a thick and firm hide; longhair; and remarkable for 



