OXEN. 



167 



mediate between those of the Chillingham and Chartley breeds. In 1875 this herd 

 was reduced to four individuals, but had increased in 1877 to six, although one of 

 the four cows was parti-coloured. 



Of the breed at Somerford Park, situated in the heart of what was formerly 

 Maxwell Forest, Mr. Harting writes that " an ancient herd of white cattle, resembling 

 those at Chartley, but polled, still exists here ; and these animals are considered to 

 be the best surviving representatives of the hornless and tame variety of the 

 original wild white breed. The colour is pure white ; the ears, rims of the eyes, 

 muzzle, and hoofs being quite black. Like all other herds of the forest breed they 

 have a strong tendency to produce small black spots on the neck, sides, and legs." 



DURHAM SHORTHORN (^ nat. size). 



It may be added that all these various herds of white cattle are doubtless 

 derived from the half -wild cattle which, as we learn from the writings of Fitz- 

 Stephen, dating from about the year 1174, were common in the forests around 

 London, and probably therefore in other parts of England. When the various 

 parks were enclosed a certain number of these cattle were driven in, and the herds 

 thus obtained have been preserved with more or less care by their subsequent 

 owners. 



Our notice of the domestic breeds of European cattle will be brief, and chiefly 

 confined to those met with in the British Islands. 



First of all we have the small Shetland cattle, inhabiting the 

 islands from which they take their name, but also extending to the 

 Orkneys and Iceland. These cattle, although of small size, are esteemed on account 



Shetland Cattle. . 



