From John Brodie Innes   28 January 1870

Hybrid Cow.— There is at present a hybrid cow among a herd at the home farm of Beaufort—a cross apparently between a deer and a cow. Except in the colour, which is black, the animal is identical in appearance with the one lately sold by Mr Maclean, V.S., to the proprietor of Wombwell’s Menagerie.¹ Strange to say, both animals were bred in or near the same parish—Ardclach²—and in many respects bear a similar history. Mr Lawson, manager at Beaufort,³ bought the cow last autumn among a herd of cattle, and it has since been seen and admired by many. The hybrid cow in Wombwell’s menagerie was calved at Lochindorb,⁴ and was exhibited by Mr M’Donald, Blervie,⁵ at the Forres Christmas Cattle Show in 1868.

Dear Darwin

The above is from the Elgin Courant of this day 28^th. Jan^ry. 1870.⁶ I have not seen the animal. It is satisfactory to know that the former one, which I told you of before, and which seemed if not a hybrid, a wonderfully good imitation of one has gone to a menagerie where perhaps in life or death the truth of its origin may be tested. Some old red deer seems to have taken to erratic courses about the ancient haunts of the Wolf of Badenoch⁷

Faithfully Yours | J Brodie Innes