THE DEVON 475 



The introduction of the Devon to America doubtless dates back 

 to colonial times, and perhaps these were the first real pure- 

 bred cattle to reach our shores. The port of Plymouth, from 

 which the early colonists and the Mayflower sailed, is on the- 

 south shore of Devon, and the vessel Charity, which sailed in 

 1623, is thought to have had 1 Devon cattle on board. Devons were 

 imported in 1800 to Massachusetts, and in 1805 General Eaton 

 took some to Otsego County, New York. In 1817 the first pure- 

 bred registered Devons brought to the United States came over in 

 the brig Margaretta and were landed at Baltimore. These were 

 a present from Mr. Coke (later Earl of Leicester) of Holkham, 

 England, to Robert Patterson of Baltimore, and consisted of six 

 two-year-old heifers and a bull named Taurus. These became 

 foundation animals in the" " American Devon Record." Other 

 importations were later made by the Patterson family, and most 

 of the early American Devo : ns are descended from the stock of 

 this family. From 1825 to 1850 and later many Devons we^e 

 imported into the Atlantic coast states and Canada. 



Characteristics of the Devon. The Devon is not easily confounded 

 with other breeds, owing to its individuality. The head is lean and 

 shapely and, with the female, is crowned by a pair of slender 

 horns that are " long, spreading, and gracefully turned up, of a 

 waxy color, tipped with a darker shade." The bull's horns grow 

 at right angles from the head or are slightly elevated, are stout 

 and waxy at the base, and have dark tips. The neck is neat in its 

 attachment to head and body and shows considerable refinement. 

 The body of the Devon is compact of form and usually carries a 

 well-sprung and deep rib, with strong heart girth. The legs are 

 small and show more refinement than is the case with some other 

 breeds. In fact, typical Devons have often been referred to as 

 deerlike in character, owing to the natural grace and refinement 

 of the breed. The color of the Devon is usually a bright red, from 

 which they have been in times past nicknamed "Rubies." The 

 shade varies from light to dark. White is not admissible excepting 

 about the udder of the cow or in front of the scrotum of the 

 male, and not beyond the navel with either or outside of the 

 flanks or elsewhere on the body. The hair about the eyes and 

 muzzle should be of a creamy tint and the muzzle flesh-colored. 



