DIFFERENT BREEDS OF OXEN. 83 



part of Devon, plentiful indeed, although not so luxuriant as 

 that of Sussex, gave rise to the production of a smaller and more 

 active animal ; and the occasional privations met with in Wales 

 brought about a lessening of bulk and the development of a 

 thicker hide. 



In turning our attention now to Scotland, we find that the 

 ancient inhabitants of that country were at times repulsed and 

 obliged to take refuge in their mountain fastnesses, wherefrom 

 they could make an effectual stand against their pursuers. Hence 

 it came about that their cattle, of which they were proud, were 

 preserved in a state of purity. 



Judging, then, from the above considerations, we see how it 

 has happened that in Devon, Sussex, Wales, and Scotland the 

 cattle have always been the same, whereas in all the eastern 

 parts of England more especially, and indeed in almost every part 

 of England, the cattle now met with have lost their primitive 

 characteristics. Oxen emanating from neighbouring, and even 

 in not a few cases those coming from remoter, districts, were 

 crossed in all kinds of ways, and they also became gradually 

 modified in correspondence with the characters of the climate and 

 the soil. These original cattle, still found in Devonshire, 

 Sussex, Wales, and Scotland, are possessed of horns of medium 

 size, they supply a fair amount of milk — which, however, is 

 noted rather for its quality than for its quantity — are active 

 workers, and possess a special aptitude for fattening. Of course, 

 they vary in accordance with the soil, the climate, and so 

 forth. The cattle of Devon, Sussex, and Hereford are red in 

 xjolour, and in this connection it is a very noteworthy fact that 

 in almost every part of Scotland, as also in some of the moun- 

 tainous districts of Wales, the milk of a red cow is supposed to 

 act as a remedy for every disease and every sort of evil. The 

 Devon cattle resemble the wild breed of Chatelherault Park, or 

 those of Chillingham Castle, although the colour is not the 

 same. 



With reference to the size of oxen, the numerous varieties 

 diff'er in a marked degree — so much so, in fact, that even adult 

 animals of the Shetland breed are not much larger than the 

 calves of some other kinds. Some of the cattle found in the 

 torrid zone are likewise very diminutive ; but, perhaps, the fatty 

 hump found on the backs of the animals referred to may be 



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