Page:The Evolution of British Cattle.djvu/80

 Norway, especially in Akershus and Smaalenene, the indigenous breed is constantly red and polled. In Esterdalen and Gudbrandsdalen, the two large eastern valleys of the country, the native breed is black or dun, in some cases red, most of the individuals being horned: only a few are polled. The breed in the western parts of Norway we suppose to be the most ancient, or one of the most ancient, in our country."

The other quotation, and the following illustration of a cow of the Swedish fell or mountain (Fjåll) race are taken from Sundbärg's "Sweden, its Population and its Industries," published in 1904. "The History of the cattle in our country presents a good many vicissitudes. The Law of Uppland, A.D. 1296, describes Swedish cattle as being small, hornless, white or whitish grey, often with dark spots. The Alpine breed in Northern Sweden is so still, a race we have every reason to consider as being the oldest in the country."

There is some doubt as to whether the colour here called "whitish grey" is the same as our light dun. Samples of hair which have been procured through the kindness of several correspondents in Sweden are some white and some light dun. It ought to be mentioned that several of the British "wild" white herds are, or were, hornless. Their unfailing white colour suggests, however,