168 CATTLE ABERDEEN-ANGUS 



Bosom (or Brisket} Standing well out between the legs, and 

 moderately covered with flesh and fat. Ribs Well sprung 

 from the backbone, arched and deep, neatly joined to the 

 crops and loins. Back Broad and straight from crops to 

 hooks ; loins strong ; hook-bones moderate in width, not 

 prominent, and well covered ; rumps long, full, level, and 

 rounded neatly into hind quarters. Hind Quarters Deep and 

 full ; thighs thick and muscular, and in proportion with hind 

 quarters ; twist full. Tail Fine, coming neatly out of the 

 body on a line with and hanging at right angles to it. 

 Under-line As nearly as possible straight ; flank full and 

 soft. Legs Short, straight, and squarely placed ; hind legs 

 slightly inclined forward below the hocks ; forearm muscular ; 

 bones fine and clean. Flesh Even, without bumps or 

 patchiness. Skin Of moderate thickness and mellow touch, 

 abundantly covered with thick and soft hair. General Appear- 

 ance Gay, well-bred, and masculine." With the exception 

 of those relating to sex, the points of the female are identical 

 with the above." 



Only a few characteristic features call for special 

 mention. The normal colour is black, but the rusty brown 

 referred to in varieties of the old breeds, and also white 

 patches of moderate dimensions about the udder and belly, 

 are tolerated. Though to appearance an animal of this breed 

 looks small, yet, owing to its short legs and compact rounded 

 form, its weight classes it among the larger breeds. The hook 

 bones are not so wide or prominent, and the quarters not so 

 square as in the Shorthorn. The absence of patchiness and 

 the equality and levelness of flesh are proverbial. The 

 milking qualities are low as regards quantity, the result of 

 breeding for beef and the prevailing custom of suckling the 

 calves, but the quality of the milk is good. 



In comparison with the Galloway, the breed weighs 

 heavier at an early age owing to its greater rapidity in coming 

 to maturity, though a difference in the size of breeding-stock 

 is not marked. The bones are finer, the skin thinner, the 

 hair shorter, and the poll more pointed. 



Lord Southesk's letter, already quoted, says on this 

 subject : 



" The ' Gothic ' arch form of poll is thought preferable to 

 the ' Roman ' arch as bespeaking a remoter distance from a 

 horned ancestry. Polled bulls with flat-top heads often have 



