xx AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 



them at least to be of the aboriginal wild breed of the 

 British forests — an opinion supported by some historical 

 statements and some osteological examinations. On 

 the other hand, the recent inquiries of certain eminent 

 scientific men have led them to doubt the truth of this, 

 and to believe that these cattle were more recently, 

 though anciently, imported from abroad. My own 

 opinion is not disguised, but is not, I hope, too dog- 

 matically expressed. The whole subject is at present 

 involved in doubt, and not ripe for an absolute solution. 

 Much further research and investigation are, I think, 

 required ; and my principal business seems to be to 

 throw light both on the present and the past, and thus 

 to give some assistance to others more competent than 

 myself towards arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. 



%* A portion of this Work has appeared in The live Stock Journal, to 

 which paper the Eev. John Storer was a frequent contributor, under the nom 

 de plume of " Historicus." 



