PREFACE. 



FROM early times, Great Britain has been distin- 

 guished for the numbers and excellence of the Animals 

 reared for the uses of the inhabitants. The cultivation 

 of the Horse began in the earlier periods of our history, 

 for the purposes of War and the tournament, and has 

 subsequently been carried to great perfection, for the 

 race-course, the chase, the saddle, and for draught. 

 The' cultivation of Sheep was early the subject of pub- 

 lic attention, and, as being connected with the woollen 

 manufactures of the country, was favoured by numerous 

 laws ; and within a period comparatively recent, extra- 

 ordinary attention has been devoted to the means of 

 cultivating animals for human food. It is during this 

 latter era, which began about the middle of last cen- 

 tury, that the greatest additions have been made to the 

 value of the Live-stock of the country, and that the 

 practice of breeding has been reduced to a system, and 

 founded upon principles. 

 Of the species of the Domesticated Animals natural- 



