WHITE WILD CATTLE. 263 



to have been brought from the liberty of 

 the primitive forest to Hampton Court. The 

 members of this herd were exceedingly mis- 

 chievous, especially when guarding their young, 

 and approached any object of their resentment 

 in a very insidious manner. Although they 

 had bred with tame cattle, this herd also be- 

 came extinct. They had become so delicate 

 from " in-and-in " breeding, that they had to be 

 housed in winter, and were quite tame. The 

 last cow and calf joined the herd of Mr. Leigh 

 at Lyme Park ; and in 1859 the last bull of the 

 race was killed. 



This last offers a typical example of the way 

 in which these semi-domesticated herds have 

 followed each other to extinction ; though it is 

 interesting to learn that in some of the remain- 

 ing herds the old characteristics of the original 

 race are still prominent. These have heads 

 slightly larger in proportion than those of 

 ordinary cattle, with large broad feet, and stout 

 legs. 



It will not be surprising to learn that every 

 list compiled contains the names of fewer 

 herds than the last. For instance, there was 

 one at Lyme Park as recently as 1883, but 



