THE UNITED KINGDOM. 63 



Mr. McCombie considered that the Galloways " on poor land are un- 

 rivaled except perhaps by the small Highlanders," but he did not deem- 

 them so easily finished as pure Aberdeens or cross-bred cattle. 



The pure Galloway is usually black ; the eye is rather dull and sleepy j the ear is 

 thick and very hairy; the back is straight; the head is covered with a semi-spheri- 

 cal knob, tufted with hair; tho legs are short and strong." 



HIGHLAND CATTLE. 



As the name denotes, this breed is native to the West Highlands of 

 Scotland ; they were formerly known as North Argyleshire cattle. The 

 characteristics may be described as follows : 



Their stature is usu ally somewhat small. They are clothed with a thick skin, hav 

 ing abundance of long, glossy, and shaggy hair, indicating hardness of constitution in 

 the highest degree. This thick coat is a protection against tho atmosphere of winter 

 and from flies in summer. Tho color varies, some animals being black, others red, 

 dun, yellow, and brindled (red and black). The head is short, and has a profusion of 

 long shaggy and curly hair coming down below tho eyes. The muzzle is line, and 

 the nose slightly turned up. 



The eyes are prominent, and have a quick, piercing glance. The horns are wide 

 apart, long, curved, and pointed ; the body is straight, thick, very deep, compact, 

 and well formed. 



The legs are short and extremely muscular. 



They are celebrated for their grazing properties, the meat being of 

 the finest quality, and comes down to the very heels. It commands the 

 highest prices in the principal English markets. For dairy purposes 

 they do not rank so highly, because the milk, though good in quality, 

 is deficient in quantity. They are extremely hardy, vigorous, quick, 

 and active, and capable of enduring both the damp and cold boisterous 

 climate of the Highlands. They thrive admirably on low lands, where 

 they are generally fattened, and are in great demand in England for 

 grazing. Their hardy nature does not require that they should be 

 housed, and they will consume and thrive on coarse pasture, which 

 sheep and many other kinds of cattle would leave untouched. 



It is best to graze them for a time before putting them to fat, as they 

 require being gradually accustomed to yards or boxes. Of late years 

 much care and attention has been paid to improving the breed, and fre- 

 quently handsome animals arc exhibited at fat-stock exhibitions ; whilst 

 both ou their native hills, where their appearance is somewhat wild, 

 and afterwards when being grazed in pastures, their picturesque beauty 

 is always highly appreciated. 



The attributes of this breed may be summed up as a combination of 

 great hardiness with splendid quality of meat, 



AYRSHIRE CATTLE. 



This breed takes its name from the county of Ayr, and possesses the 

 following characteristics : 



Their color is usually rod or brown and white, in large patches ; or all red or 

 brown, and sometimes black and white. 



The horns are true, curve upwards, and are placed on wkle apart at their base. The 

 neck is straight from the head towards the top of the shoulders, which are very thin 

 on the top ; tho back is straight. 



The body becomes larger, both in width and depth, as it approaches tho hind quar- 

 ters. The tail is long, tine, and bushy at tho end. Tho legs are short and small in 

 the bone. The eye is mild and the udder very large. 



Its origin is not thoroughly known, but for a considerable time 

 breeders have taken pains, by selection and judicious breeding, to in- 



