42 
THE LATE CATTLE SHOW. 
the novelty of the thing now is pretty well over, and since shillings 
have come to be found among certain lower orders pretty well as 
easily as among the upper, even the fashion of it seems to be on 
the decline. Mountains of living fat are fast forfeiting their 
temptation for the eye as well as for the stomach, and in propor- 
tion as these blubbery monstrosities subside, we find — in this year’s 
show in particular, and we are glad to see it — breed and symmetry 
and character peeping out once again in their native beauty. As 
much does it disfigure a pure Durham or Devon ox to encumber 
its body with fat as it would the form of a Venus to swell every 
admired contour of beauty into an unnatural protuberance : real 
beauty sits enthroned amid the proportion and harmony of her 
several constituent members. 
Now, this is precisely the point to which we would fain direct 
the attention of the veterinarian. Pure native breed in all its 
varieties will first command his observation. He will observe the 
natural and characteristic feature and form of each species or breed; 
he will note the more striking differences between one breed and 
another; he will meditate on the respective advantages and dis- 
advantages thereof. Along with breed he will not omit to take 
into consideration the country which produced it ; and this will 
prevent him, while eying the different individual specimens as they 
stand side by side in their stalls, forming in his mind comparisons 
unfairly disadvantageous to any one in particular that in such 
a situation, and with such neighbours, may to his eye appear 
inferior, when, in reality, he is probably quite the reverse. Of its 
kind one is, perhaps, fully as valuable and admirable as the other. 
The dwarf Scotch ox must not be despised by the side of the 
imposing Durham ; neither must the South Down suffer disparage- 
ment because the Leicester sheep is nigh him. Each enjoys his 
own peculiar happy qualifications; each in his own sphere proves 
equally serviceable to man. 
The pure or original breeds having had their share of survey, 
the veterinarian will next find himself interested in the legitimate or 
scientific crosses which have been carried out between them. He 
will mark the improvements said to have been effected in the “ im- 
proved’’ stock ; and he will inquire whether such alleged improve- 
ments have been accomplished at the loss or expense of any valuable 
