THE DEVON 475 



The introduction of the Devon to America doubtless dates back 

 to colonial times, and perhaps these were the first real pure- 

 bred cattle to reach our shores. The port of Plymouth, from 

 which the early colonists and the Mayfloivcr sailed, is on the 

 south shore of Devon, and the vessel Charity, which sailed in 

 1623, is thought to have had Devon cattle on board. Devons were 

 imported in 1800 to Massachusetts, and in 1805 General Eaton 

 took some to Otsego County, New York. In 18 17 the first pure- 

 bred registered Devons brought to the United States came over in 

 the brig Margaretta and were landed at Baltimore. These were 

 a present from Mr. Coke (later Earl of Leicester) of Holkham, 

 England, to Robert Patterson of Baltimore, and consisted of six 

 two-year-old heifers and a bull named Taurus. These became 

 foundation animals in the " American Devon Record." Other 

 importations were later made by the Patterson family, and most 

 of the early American Devons are descended from the stock of 

 this family. From 1825 to 1850 and later many Devons were 

 imported into the Atlantic coast states and Canada. 



Characteristics of the Devon. The Devon is not easily confounded 



with other breeds, owing to its individuality. The head is lean and 



shapely and, with the female, is crowned by a pair of slender 



horns that are " long, spreading, and gracefully turned up, of a 



waxy color, tipped with a darker shade." The bull's horns grow 



at right angles from the head or are slightly elevated, are stout 



and waxy at the base, and have dark tips. The neck is neat in its 



attachment to head and body and shows considerable refinement. 



The body of the Devon is compact of form and usually carries a 



well-sprung and deep rib, with strong heart girth. The legs are 



small and show more refinement than is the case with some other 



breeds. In fact, typical Devons have often been referred to as 



deerlike in character, owing to the natural grace and refinement 



of the breed. The color of the Devon is usually a bright red, from 



which they have been in times past nicknamed " Rubies." The 



shade varies from light to dark. White is not admissible excepting 



about the udder of the cow or in front of the scrotum of the 



male, and not beyond the navel with either or outside of the 



flanks or elsewhere on the body. The hair about the eyes and 



muzzle should be of a creamy tint and the muzzle flesh-colored. 

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