CHAPTEK II. 



WE may now proceed to investigate the various breeds into 

 which the ox has ramified by the care and agency of those 

 interested in the improvement of our domestic cattle. But, 

 by way of a preliminary step, let us glance at the principal 

 races of Continental Europe, from some of which certain of 

 our breeds have, it is said, but recently descended ; we allude 

 to our (now improved) short horned cattle, originally, it is 

 believed, from Holland, or some adjacent parts of the conti- 

 nent, and according to a vague tradition imported into York- 

 shire (or that division of the East Eiding called Holderness), 

 in the seventeenth century. We may also mention the 

 Alderney and Jersey breeds, originally from Normandy, and 

 still often directly received from that province. In France 

 the breeders and cattle-dealers divide their oxen into two 

 principal sections : " Bceufs de haut cru," and " Bceufs de 

 nature." The " bceufs de haut cru" are of small or middle 

 size, with a wild aspect, a thick skin, rough hair, and ample 

 dewlap : the horns are more or less black or greenish ; the 

 suet is particularly abundant. These cattle are more peculiar 

 to the hilly and mountain districts than to the plains. To 

 this section belong the breeds of Limosin, Saintonge, Angou- 

 mois, La Marche, Gascogne, Auvergne, Bourbon, Charolais, 

 Burgogne, Morvan. 



The " boeufs de nature" are of moderate or large stature ; 

 the body and head are small; the nose and ears fine, the 

 horns white, the skin fine and supple, the hair soft, the aspect 

 tranquil. These cattle readily fatten ; and are chiefly con- 

 fined to districts of little elevation, and to lands abounding 

 in pasturage. To this section belong the breeds of Cholet, 

 Nantes, Angers, Le Marais, Bretagne, (Brittany), Maine, Pays 

 d'Auge, Cotentin, Franche-Comte, Camargue, &c. 



