350 THE OX. 



pedient that the agriculturists of North Devon should de- 

 part from the standard of the purity of their beautiful breed 

 which has been so long established. 



The Devon Breed extends from the northern division of the 

 county into South Devon all the way to the British Channel. 

 Here the red colour characteristic of the purer race becomes 

 less bright, and white frequently appears on the body and 

 extremities, and the animals become enlarged in size, corres- 

 ponding with the increased fertility of the country, and as- 

 sume a coarser form. The South Devons, accordingly, are 

 held in far inferior estimation to the variety proper to the 

 higher country for ready fattening ; but they are greatly 

 valued in their own district as rising to a good weight, and 

 supplying the larger beef which is in demand at the numerous 

 shipping ports of the coast. For this latter purpose, indeed, 

 the Durhams and Herefords would probably be found better 

 adapted ; but if the breeders of South Devon shall continue 

 to prefer the existing race, then surely the means ought to 

 be used to improve it in the degree of which it is susceptible. 

 It is absurd to say, as some have done, that the South Devon 

 breed is bad in itself, and incapable of improvement. The 

 South Devon Breed is only bad because sufficient attention 

 has not been paid, by selection of the parents, to the improve- 

 ment of the progeny. 



As connected in some characters with the Devon group, 

 may be mentioned a variety of cattle rendered remarkable 

 by the striking contrast of colours on the body, which is found 

 in Somersetshire and some other of the south-western coun- 

 ties. It is usually termed the Sheeted Breed of Somerset- 

 shire. It has existed in the same parts of England from 

 time immemorial. The red colour of the hair has a light 

 yellow tinge, and the white colour passes like a sheet over 

 the body. The individuals are sometimes horned, but more 

 frequently they are hornless. The cows are hardy, docile, 

 and well suited to the dairy. The beef of the oxen is of 

 good quality and well marbled. The breed has become rare, 



