India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace].

  • Robert Wallace
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and a Deccani cow. This bullock is a fine, large, fleshy, powerful animal ; but in the height of the season, although his skin is not nearly so light coloured as many of the skins of cattle bred in the same way, he has to be taken out of yoke during four hours of the heat of the day when native cattle can continue to work without suffering. Imported Cattle Seem to succumb more readily to disease than native cattle; and on account of this, much unnecessary loss has been entailed through high-priced animals being selected in place of lower-priced well-bred ones of or- dinary appearance. Instances have been given of prices paid for bulls ranging from £150 up to £300, when the class of animal which would have suited the purpose best could have been bought in England at 20 guineas. I should add that those high-priced animals rarely survived a few months. In crossing native with English cattle, one of the most extensive and successful efforts which I had the privilege of personally inquiring into, was carried out by the Rev. G. M. Wilson, near Darjiling, where the climate is much more favourable for the purpose than down at the lower levels. One specimen (in some cases two) was got out from England of each of the following breeds :—Hereford, Devon, Ayrshire, and Guernsey. The latter threw the best crosses. The colouring of the progeny as a whole is both interest- ing and extraordinary. Whole colours practically dis- appeared, and brindles and all sorts of broken colours ruled. The most common type of the latter, especially coming from the Guernsey, may be thus described:— Black or brown ears, eyes, muzzle, and hoof-heads, with spots of one or other colour along the sides, leaving the head, legs, back, belly, lower neck, and brisket white, or frequently with a yellow tinge, and a few spots of the dark colour (black or brown) dotted through it.