394 THE ox. 



ham. This breed is believed to possess a better combination 

 of properties than any of the larger cattle yet produced in 

 the British Islands, is everywhere extending its limits, and 

 superseding the pre-existing breeds, or modifying their cha- 

 racters by intermixture. 



To these breeds of British cattle might be added a numerous 

 class of mixed character and origin, but which rarely exhibit 

 such a uniform class of characters, as to admit of being re- 

 garded as true breeds. These mixed races are to be found 

 in all parts of the kingdom, and especially in the countries of 

 the dairy, where individuals are selected for their milching 

 properties, without reference to a common origin. It is the 

 effect of a better knowledge of the practice of breeding, and 

 of more extended intercourse between different parts of the 

 country, to diminish the number of these mixed, and mostly 

 inferior, races, by adopting superior modes of breeding. 



