The Ox.] OF ORKNEY. . 3 



GENUS II. THE OX. 



Bos Taurus, Lin. Sys. 98. Sib. Scot. 7. Brit. Zool. 15. Penn. Syn. Quad. 4. 



THIS very useful animal seems to be very little regarded 

 in the Orkneys, and is seldom suffered to live above the 

 third year, which, if considered, is a great loss to the fanner. 

 They are very little in the way of setting them to any work 

 here (except a few gentlemen who use them to the plough) ; 

 though I should think, according to the nature of the coun- 

 try, which is now very much frequented by shipping, these 

 would be preferable to horses, as, when past working, they 

 are no worse for being fed for beef, of which at present a 

 small quantity is made for the Leith market, and for ship- 

 ping, though much more might be sent to market, and ex- 

 pended in our own country, were trade, fishing, &c. carried 

 on to that extent, and with that spirit it ought, and easily 

 might, in a country so well situated for it. Beef in Orkney 

 sells cheap, seldom above three-halfpence per pound, com- 

 monly at a penny, or a penny-farthing ; however, it must be 

 confessed, our Orkney beef is neither so large nor so strong as 

 that from the southern countries, nor is it so fit for sea-stock, 

 as it seldom bears salt well for any length of time ; for pre- 

 sent use, it is both sweet and well-tasted. 



Cows are kept in numbers, on account of the rents of the 

 land, part of which is paid in butter, which is distinguished 

 into what is here called meat and grease-butter. The latter 



