568 THE CATTLE, SHEEP, &C. OF CORNWALL. 
liar breed of cattle indigenous to the soil: they are animals of a 
black colour, with short horns, coarse bones, and large offals; are 
of a very small size, but are admirably fitted to endure the change¬ 
able temperature of the climate (the west of Cornwall) where they 
are chiefly found, living in the summer on the coarse grounds and 
commons, and in the winter months chiefly upon heath and 
furze. 
The contrast exhibited between them and the prevailing breed 
of the county is great. It would be a difficult task to attempt to 
convey any very correct idea of the shape of these by words. They 
may be said to approach to what is generally considered as perfect; 
possessing neat and compactly-formed heads, with bright and 
prominent eyes, and upright horns, resembling in the turn of the 
horn the wild cattle of Chillingham Park. Their necks are some¬ 
what thin, gradually narrowing from the breast towards the head. 
Their chests are deep and capacious, with well-proportioned legs. 
They possess a tolerably sized barrel, and are well made in the 
hind quarters, being deep, full, and well fleshed downwards. In 
appearance, they bear a great resemblance to their progenitors the 
North Devon, possessing the same coloured hair, the bright' dun 
muzzle, and ring round the eye. 
They vary much in shape and stature, in the different districts 
of the county. In the west of the county the breed is found con¬ 
siderably smaller than in other parts, but are all well made, formed 
as it were for the yoke, have good hoofs, and work light and 
active. They also possess a property that is particularly worthy 
of notice in our changeable clime, where 
“ The smiles of summer £nd the rage of storms’* 
succeed each other in a few hours, viz. hardiness of constitution. 
They also afrive quickly to maturity, and fatten when young, if 
well fed. This kind may be considered as the prevailing breed 
of the county; they are the produce of a cross of the indigenous 
breed with the North Devon. 
The coivs also are chiefly of the Cornish and North Devon 
breeds, although of late years a number of the Guernsey and 
Jersey cows have been introduced. A breed between the latter 
and the Cornish is commonly used, and the cross is thought to 
possess the rare qualities of abundance of milk with an increase 
of size. The Durham breed have been lately introduced by that 
eminent and spirited breeder, J. P. Peter, Esq. of Creegmurrion ; 
they appear to have succeeded well in one or two grazing districts. 
A cross between the Durham bull and the Cornish cow is consi¬ 
dered to be profitable for the dairy and the butcher. But no kind 
appear to be in such high request by farmers as the North 
