CATTLE, DEVON81 
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countenance, distinguishing it from the heavy aspect of many other 
breeds. 
Its neck is long and thin, admirably adapting it for the collar, or tho 
more common and ruder yoke. 
It is accounted one of the characteristics of good cattle, that the lino 
of the neck from the horns, to tho withers, should scarcely deviate from 
that of tho back. 
In the Devon ox, however, there is a peculiar rising at the shoulder, 
reminding us of the blood-horse, and essentially connected with the free 
and quick action by which this breed has ever been distinguished. 
Ith as little or no dewlap depending from the throat. 
The horns are longer than those of the bull, smaller, and fine even to 
the base, and of a lighter color, and tipped Avith yellow. 
The animal is light in the withers ; the shoulders a little oblique ; the 
breast deep, and the bosom open and a vide, particularly as contrasted 
with the fineness of the withers. 
The fore legs are wide apart, looking like pillars that have to support 
a great weight. 
The point of the shoulder is rarely or never seen. There is no projec- 
tion of bone, but there is a kind of level line running on to the neck. 
Characteristics and Important Points. 
Angular bony projections are never found in a beast that carries much 
flesh and fat. 
Tho fineness of the withers, the slanting direction of the shoulder, and 
the broad and open breast, imply strength, speed, and aptitude to fatten. 
A narrow-chested animal can never be useful either for working or 
grazing. 
With all tho lightness of the Devon ox, there is a point about him, dis- 
liked in tho blood or riding horse, and not approved in the horse of light 
draught — t)ic legs are far under, the chest, or rather the breast projects 
far and wide before the legs. We sec the advantage of this in the beast 
of slow draught, who rarely breaks into a trot, except when he is goaded 
on in catching times, and the division of whose foot prevents him from 
stumbling. 
The lightness of the other parts of his form, however, counterbalances 
heaviness there. 
The legs aro straight, at least in the best herds. If they are in-lcneed 
or crooked in tho fore-legs, it argues a deficiency in blood, and compara- 
tive incapacity for work ; and for grazing, too, for they will be hollow 
behind the withers, a point for which nothing can compensate, because it 
takes away so much from the place where good flesh and fat should be 
