Report on the Cattle ExliiUted at Windsor. 
625 
indicate fidelity to an ancient type. An ancient breed may at 
one time and another I'eceive crosses which destroy its claim to 
unbroken and literally or absolutely pure descent from its 
archetypal source, yet may so absorb those crosses, and by its 
excess, either of proportion or of hereditary power, or both, 
overcome them, that no trace of them is left. On the other 
hand, crosses may be introduced in sufficient proportion and of 
sufficient power to greatly modify the characteristics of the 
original race or breed ; and even without alien blood, differences 
of climate and of the quality of pasture often effect, in the 
course of a few generations, considerable modification of type. 
Such modification is almost always for the better, as regards 
the particular district in which it occurs. The tendency of 
animal and vegetable species alike is to gradually accommodate 
themselves to circumstances. A wealthy pasture grows big 
oxen, and if an immigrant small breed take the place of a native 
large breed, the tendency of the small breed is to lose its 
original character and in course of time adapt itself to new 
conditions, returning generous growth for generous sustenance, 
as the dwarf nasturtium in some rich garden soils changes its 
habit and becomes a climber or giant. 
It is quite possible that in one district a small breed will 
thrive much better, and produce a greater weight of beef to the 
acreage, than a large breed, and at a smaller cost, although 
more mouths are employed in the consumption of the pasturage. 
The same may be said, of course, of dairy properties. Twelve 
small cows may yield more milk and butter, in return for less 
food, than ten larger cows ; twelve small steers more and better 
beef, for less food, than ten larger steers of equal age. Yet in 
another district the more abundant or more forcing food grown, 
on the land would be comparatively wasted upon the smaller 
breed. It requires a larger breed to make the most profitable 
use of it. These considerations, if duly taken into account, might 
lessen any remaining jealousy between the respective admirers 
of somewhat differing types in the race of cattle which takes its 
name from the county of Devon. Some difficulty in adjudication 
at shows must be taken for granted, and corresponding disap- 
pointment on the part of exhibitors of cattle of the one type or 
the other may be inferred ; but when we have a recognised and 
highly valuable breed, like the Devon, and that breed possesses 
the convenient habit of easy conformity to various conditions of 
life, exhibitors can better afford to compete in a generous spirit 
than to differ about a few prizes. Their strength is in their unity. 
The numbers of Devous exhibited at the National Shows have 
fluctuated according to distance from head-quarters and other 
