OXEN. 
167 
mediate between those of the Chillingham and Chartley breeds. In 1875 this herd 
was reduced to four individuals, but had increased in 1877 to six, although one of 
the four cows was parti-coloured. 
Of the breed at Somerford Park, situated in the heart of what was formerly 
Maxwell Forest, Mr. Harting writes that “ an ancient herd of white cattle, resembling 
those at Chartley, but polled, still exists here; and these animals are considered to 
be the best surviving representatives of the hornless and tame variety of the 
original wild white breed. The colour is pure white; the ears, rims of the eyes, 
muzzle, and hoofs being quite black. Like all other herds of the forest breed they 
have a strong tendency to produce small black spots on the neck, sides, and legs.” 
Durham shorthorn (Jf, nat. size). 
It may be added that all these various herds of white cattle are doubtless 
derived from the half-wild cattle which, as we learn from the writings of Fitz- 
Stephen, dating from about the year 1174, were common in the forests around 
London, and probably therefore in other parts of England. When the various 
parks were enclosed a certain number of these cattle were driven in, and the herds 
thus obtained have been preserved with more or less care by their subsequent 
owners. 
Our notice of the domestic breeds of European cattle will be brief, and chiefly 
confined to those met with in the British Islands. 
First of all we have the small Shetland cattle, inhabiting the 
islands from which they take their name, but also extending to the 
Orkneys and Iceland. These cattle, although of small size, are esteemed on account 
Shetland Cattle. . 
