70 THE OX AND THE DAIRY 



far fewer oxen are now employed for labour in Cornwall than 

 within even the last ten or fifteen years. This may be owing 

 to the increased demand for oxen in the grazing counties 

 where they are fattened, viz., Somersetshire, &c., or to an im- 

 proved system of husbandry, and better roads. 



Many of the finest Devonshire oxen are fattened for the 

 market in Somersetshire and Dorsetshire. The cattle of 

 Devonshire are admirable : of these the purest are to be 

 found in the northern portion of that county bordering the 

 Bristol Channel ; such at least is the opinion of some, who 

 regard the larger variety found in the south, as mixed with 

 other breeds of inferior strain ; but there is, perhaps, some- 

 thing of ultra-refinement in this view of the matter. 



The Devonshire bull has the head small ; the muzzle fine ; 

 the nostrils ample ; the horns tapering, and of a waxy yellow ; 

 the eye large and clear ; the neck thick and arched above, 

 with little dewlap ; the chest is broad and deep ; the breast 

 prominent ; the limbs fine-boned ; the fore-arm muscular ; 

 the hips are high, and the hind-quarters well filled up ; the 

 thighs are voluminous ; the tail long, slender, set on high, 

 and tufted at the extremity. The ox is taller, and more 

 lightly made, with fine withers, and a slanting shoulder ; the 

 breast is prominent ; the limbs are fine-boned, muscular, and 

 straight, but rather long; the neck, too, is thin, and rather 

 long, the head small, the muzzle fine ; the horns longer than 

 in the bull, slender, and tapering. The whole form, indeed, 

 indicates activity and freedom of action. The skin is mo- 

 derate, and covered with mossy or curling hair ; but occasion- 

 ally it is smooth and glossy. The colour is universally red, 

 chestnut, or bay, seldom varied with white; a paler space 

 surrounds the eye, and the muzzle is yellow. 



The cow is far inferior to the bull in bulk and stature ; and 

 the latter is inferior to the ox. The cow is active, with a full 

 eye, and animated expression ; the muzzle is very fine, and 

 the general contour light ; the ribs, however, are well arched, 

 giving greater internal room than might at first be supposed, 

 a point essential to a good breeder With respect to the 

 qualities of the Devonshire cattle, they are by many esteemed 

 of the highest order, while others underrate them. The oxen, 

 as workers at the plough, on a light soil, are, from their 

 docility and easy action, of first-rate order; but, on heavy 

 soils, although they are willing to exert their strength, at 

 a dead pull, to the utmost, their want of weight and muscular 



