98 THE DISEASES AND DISORDEES OF THE OX. 



of these cattle is badly wounded, or weak and feeble owing to 

 age and sickness, the other members of the herd conspire 

 together against their debilitated companion and gore him or 

 her to death, 



A few of the wild cattle are found in Androssan Park, which 

 belongs to the Earl of Eglintown, and in Auchencruive Park, the 

 seat of Mr. Oswald. They are cream-coloured, and have black 

 muzzles, and black or brown or red ears. 



The animals of the West Highland breed, or Kyloe, differ 

 but very little from the Chillingham or Hamilton wild oxen, 

 except as regards their colour, which is black. Their limbs 

 are short and muscular, the chest is both wide and deep, 

 the ribs are well arched, the back is straight, the horns are fre- 

 quently rather long, the muzzle is short but not broad, and 

 the skin is covered with shaggy hair. The milk is of a very 

 rich quality, but very small in amount so that the cows are 

 very unsuitable for dairy-farming. The beef is of the finest 

 quality, and hence many cattle reared in the Highlands 

 and in the Hebrides are annually taken to other parts of the 

 country for the purpose of being fattened on rich pastures. One 

 great point of advantage about the animals of this breed is that 

 they are very hardy and likewise very well suited to the region 

 in which they are found. 



The Galloway breed is very similar to the preceding ; but the 

 animals are larger and devoid of horns, and many cattle are 

 taken from the hilly parts of Galloway to be fattened on English 

 pastures for the London market. 



The animals of the Ayrshire breed, met with just over the 

 border, are small but yet highly productive. They are very 

 serviceable for dairy purposes, and are valued for their milk not 

 only in Scotland, but also in other parts. 



The Ayrshire breed stands in the foremost place in regard to 

 milking powers. The animals of this breed are rather small, 

 and their flesh is spread thinly over the body ; but yet they can 

 thrive fairly well even on second-rate and inferior pastures. 

 Hence, in Scotland, the Ayrshire cow is preferred to others. 

 The udders of the cows of this breed are hemispherical in shape, 

 well formed, and provided behind with loose and soft skin. The 

 milk is rich and well suited for butter-making, and the time 

 during which the milk-producing powers continue is lengthy. 



