16 ORIGIN OF POLLED RACES OF CATTLE. 



of heredity are now better known, and have been made to 

 produce more remarkable results in late years than at any 

 former age, yet those laws were recognised, and to some 

 extent observed, even in the earliest historic times. In 

 all the ancient nations the ox was the principal beast of 

 burden, and the works of most of the early writers who 

 deal with industrial subjects show clearly that in these 

 nations the power of selection in breeding had been known 

 and employed. This was notably the case among the 

 Romans. Palladius gives explicit directions as to the 

 selection of bulls. " The bull," he says, " should be tall, 

 with huge members, of a middle size, rather young as old, 

 of a stern countenance, small horns, a brawny and vast 

 neck, and confined belly." Columella's description of the 

 best cow is still more minute. He most approves of cows 

 that " are of a tall make, long with very large belly, very 

 broad forehead, eyes black and open, horns graceful, smooth, 

 and black, hairy ears, straight jaws, very large dewlap and 

 tail, and moderate hoofs and legs." Virgil discourses at 

 some length on the breeding of both horses and cattle, 

 remarking that " if any one, fond of the prize at the Olym- 

 pic games, breeds horses, or if any one breeds stout bul- 

 locks for the plough, he chiefly attends to the make of the 

 mother, who ought to be large in all her parts." In Dry- 

 den's Virgil (Georgics, Book III.) we come across this 

 piece of sound advice amongst directions for the manage- 

 ment of cattle : 



" Distinguish all betimes with branding fire, 

 To note the tribe, the lineage, and the sire ; 

 Whom to reserve for husband of the herd ; 

 Or who shall be to sacrifice preferred ; 

 Or whom thou shalt to turn thy glebe allow, 

 To smooth the furrows, and sustain the plough : 

 The rest, for whom no lot is yet decreed, 

 May run in pastures and at pleasure feed." 



Darwin says he has found that the degree of care the 

 selection and isolation necessary to perpetuate peculiar- 



