Spanish Cattle. 7 



about 1840, and likewise in the cow, tlic whole head and body is 

 uniformly whitish or drab. The retention of the dark ' points ' in 

 the adult bulls affords, in all probability, decisive evidence of the 

 descent of the breed from the Aurochs. 



_ . , Spanish Cattle, of which three types arc recognised, 

 ^ namely, the Northern Gallego (Aragon) and Navarra 



breeds, the Central or Castilian breed, and the Southern 

 or Andalucian type, are represented in the collection by a black 

 Flighting Bull, the gift of Mr. Farquharson Johnston, as well as by 

 two mounted heads and a skull and horns of the fawn-coloured 

 Draught Oxen, which were presented by H.M. the King, and 

 pertained to living specimens presented by the Empress Eugenie 

 to H.M. Queen Victoria, by whom they were kept for some years at 

 Osborne, Isle of Wight. Miniature models of these royal cattle are 

 likewise exhibited. 



Of the three types, the Gallego and Navarra, or northern form, 

 is characterised by its regular proportions, generally light colour 

 (yellowish-fawn or pale chestnut), and large horns, which are directed 

 mainly upwards and backwards. The central, or Castilian breed, 

 on the other hand, is distinguished by great size and stoutness, the 

 straight line of the back, the dusky colour, which is often almost 

 black, and the well-proportioned horns, which are directed mainly 

 forwards. Finally, in the southern or Andalucian type we find the 

 size and build medium, the line of the back sinuous, the colour 

 generally dusky, although sometimes black and white, or even 

 chestnut and white, and the horns of the same type as in the 

 preceding. The horns of the last two breeds may, indeed, be 

 compared to those of the tines of a pitchfork held horizontally, with 

 the concavity upwards ; while those of the first or northern type 

 may be likened to the same instrument held vertically, with the 

 concavity of the Lines backwards. These three main breeds or types 

 may be divided into eight sub-races or strains, probably induced by 

 crossing and local conditions, the characteristics of which cannot be 

 given in this place. 



Ancient bronze bas-reliefs of the Celto-Iberian epoch, as well as 

 certain ancient Spanish coins, exhibit unmistakable representations 

 of the noithern type, with its large upwardly-directed horns, and it 

 would accordingly seem that this was the breed possessed by the 

 ancient inhabitants of the Peninsula. This is confirmed by the 

 existence of a similar type of Cattle over a large part of southern 

 Europe, especially Italy and Greece, as indicated on the ancient 



