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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    distinct line can be drawn between the regions in which the two strains predominate. The large variety is decidedly the finest of all the large cattle of North-Western India for massiveness and various accompanying good qualities, and is only equalled by those from the banks of the Upper Kistna. A good specimen of a Gujerat bullock, which I measured in the lines at Alla- habad, stood 5 feet 7 inches to the top of the hump, and had a girth of 6 feet. This breed may be described as white with black points. The white, however, often assumes a bluish tint in the cows, more particularly about the head. Many of the bulls are decidedly grey, and that frequently of a dark shade on the hind and fore quarters and head. The colouring of Nagar bulls is very much like that described, but they are not quite so dark. The horns, which are round and of a good medium size, project upwards without inclination either to the back or front. They are, however, more or less of a rounded bow shape, “ bowled,” curving at first outwards as they leave the crown, then inwards, and slightly twisting as they approach the tips. The nimburi is frequently present. The dewlap in the male is well developed in proportion to the sheath. The ears arc large and pendent. The trunk is, as it ought to be, compact and well knit, and with a good depth about the region of the heart. The shoulders are fine, and joined on to the neck in graceful and symmetrical lines, and are adorned in the male by a speci- ally well-developed hump. Though the body is large and of good form, the qualities most to be appreciated in the Gujerat breed are to be found in the powerful and well- shaped limbs, and the black-hoofed feet— possessed of an unusual degree of hardness and durability for large cattle,— and also in their mild disposition and good temper. Ihese qualities mark the cows of this breed as being of all the large and strong-boned cattle of India the best suited to cross with Mysore bulls, to produce bullocks which combine