A'ppendix A. 



409 



Id these and all other matters the people are forbearing:; and considerate 

 towards one another, and a man placed in any difficulty is aided to the 

 utmost by his community. If, however, a man is obstinate, he is denounced as 

 Fiacail Gaibhre, gaber tooth, goat tooth, standing out against the customs of 

 the community. 



The Coilpeachadh varies in some slight degree in some of the islands. The 

 following table, however, may be accepted as fairly representing the whole Outer 

 Hebrides : — 



1 horse is equal to 8 foals. 



Alexander 

 C'arniichael 



Three one-year-old hoggs are equal to two sheep ; one two- ear-old hogg is 

 equal to one sheep, and other modifications. 



The young of the horse and the cow arrive at maturity at four years of age. 

 The old Highlanders never worked nor bred their horses or cattle till they had 

 arrived at maturity. They said that the horse, the mare, and the cow lasted 

 twice as long when thus treated. In Kintail of old, an entu-e horse was not 

 allowed to work before he was seven years of age. Probably now-a-days that 

 would be considered waiting too long. 



The young of most animals are changed to a new name on the first day of 

 winter. The foal becomes a Loth or lothag, filly ; the lamb becomes an Othaisg. 

 For these things, and for most, if not indeed for all things of this nature, ' the old 

 people ' had rhymes to assist the memory. These rhymes are invariably expres- 

 sive and pithy, although now becoming obsolete. 



The calf changes to a stirk — 



' La Samhna theirear gamhna ris na laoigh, 

 La 'Illeain theirear aidhean riu na dheigh.' 



At Hallowtide the calf is called a stirk aye, 

 At Saint John's the stirk becomes a quey. 



The young are separated from their mothers, and the new name is applied 

 to them at Hallowmas, Gaelic, Samhuin. 



Having finished their tillage, the people go early in June to the hill-grazing 

 with thtir flocks. This is a busy day in the townland. The people are up 

 and in commotion like bees about to swarm. The different families bring 

 their herds together and drive them away. The sheep lead, the cattle go next, 

 the younger preceding, and the horses follow. The men carry burdens of 

 "Sticks, heather-ropes, spades, and other things needed to repair their summer 

 huts (Sgitheil, Bothain). The women carry bedding, meal, dairy and cooking 



