Even so late as the beginning of the present century, we learn from the old 'Statistical Account of Scotland' that in many districts the old-fashioned ploughs were of such great weight that they required 8, 10, and sometimes 12 oxen to draw them.[79] «Four oxen yoked abreast.» Information from the same source also explains the use of the word '_caruca_' for plough. For the construction of the word involves not 4 yoke of oxen, but 4 oxen yoked abreast, as are the horses in the _caruca_ so often seen upon Roman coins. And the 'Statistical Account' informs us that in some districts of Scotland in former times 'the ploughs were drawn by 4 oxen or horses _yoked abreast_: one trod constantly upon the tilled surface, another went in the furrow, and two upon the stubble or white land. The driver walked backwards holding his cattle by halters, and taking care that each beast had its equal share in the draught. This, though it looked awkward, was contended to be the only mode of yoking by which 4 animals could best be compelled to exert all their strength.'[80] «So also in Wales.» The ancient Welsh laws, as we shall see by-and-by, also speak of the normal plough team as consisting from time immemorial, throughout Wales, of 8 [p064] oxen yoked 4 to a yoke. The team of 8 oxen seems further to have been the normal manorial plough team throughout England, though in some districts still larger teams were needful when the land was heavy clay. In the 'Inquisition of the Manors of St. Paul's'[81] it is stated of the demesne land of a manor in Hertfordshire, that the ploughing could be done with two plough teams (_carucæ_), of 8 head each. And in another case in the same county 'with 2 plough teams of 8 heads, "cum consuetudinibus villatæ"--with the customary services of the villein tenants.'[82] In another, 'with 5 ploughs, of which 3 have 4 oxen and 4 horses, and 2 each 6 horses.' In another, 'with 3 ploughs of 8 heads.' In manors in Essex, on the other hand, where the land is heavier, there are the following instances:[83]-- 4 plough teams, 10 in each. 2 plough teams, 8 in each. 1 plough team, 10. 3 plough teams, 8 oxen and 2 horses. 2 plough teams, 10 oxen and 10 horses for the two. 2 plough teams, 12 oxen and 8 horses the two. 2 plough teams, 4 horses and 4 oxen in each. 2 plough teams, 10 each. 1 plough team, 6 horses and 4 oxen. In two manors in Middlesex the teams were as under:[84]-- 1 of 8 heads. 2 of 8 oxen and 2 horses. [p065] In the Gloucester cartulary[85] there are the following instances:-- To each plough team 8 oxen and 4 over. To each plough team 12 oxen and 1 over. To each plough team 12 oxen and 1 over. «Normal English plough team of eight oxen.» All these instances are from documents of the thirteenth century, and they conspire in confirming the point that the normal plough team was, by general consent, of 8 oxen; though some heavier lands required 10 or 12, and sometimes horses in aid of the oxen.