Abstract：Research of the relationship of human and animals in the late Qing dynasty is far from adequate in the academia. Taking cattle as an example, they played a significant role in various fields during the period of late Qing dynasty: in economy, cattle were involved in such areas as ploughing land, export business, tax, milk, management of cattle and so on; in arts, there were a large number of works ( mainly painting, followed by literary works) concerning cattle; in records of hunting culture, there were Dianshizhai Illustrations and Records of Good Stories concerning cattle; in law, there were mainly cases related with cattle, and decrees as well; in foreign communication, cattle plague, trade, race and breeding were mainly touched upon; in animal science, there were records of cattle characteristics and breeding methods; in medical treatment, there were records of treatment of cattle plague and public health; in addition, there were records concerning cattle in such areas as manufacture, academic research, politics, and philosophy. Cattle is just one case, and other animals such as mouse, tiger, dragon and snake are also worth studying. Therefore, issues about the relationship of human and animals deserves more attention of historiographical study.

Keyword：human and animals;cattle;the late Qing dynasty;