CATTLE 159 



"The external characters of the best of the Ayr- 

 shire cattle are, a straight and nearly level back, 

 the top of the shoulder being a little below the level 

 line, and there is an evident tendency to depression 

 over the loins. The ribs are pretty round, and the 

 body deep ; but there is a deficiency in the filling up 

 of the buttocks. Viewed from before and behind, 

 the carcass is very narrow, particularly before. 

 Viewed from above, the shoulder is much narrower 

 than the hooks, which gives the body a considera- 

 ble wedge shape, and the top of the shoulders a 

 sharpness. The legs are short, and the body looks 

 long for its height. The muzzle is fine, the face 

 broad, but rather short, the eye complacent, the ex- 

 pression of face gentle, and the horn short and 

 turned upward, though not gayly. The colours are 

 red and white, like the Short Horns, though not so 

 rich, and mixed in some places with black ; but they 

 are arranged in irregular blotches and patches, which 

 are seldom round, and never grizzled. The thin- 

 ness of the skin and the fair handling indicate a dis-. 

 position to give milk, and a tolerable feeder. The 

 breed, in its uses, is almost, if not altogether, con- 

 fined to the dairy." 



This description is sufficient to show the points 

 of resemblance, or, rather, those in which they dif- 

 fer from the Short Homs, with which, from their 

 colours, they are more apt to be confounded by 

 the inexperienced than any other breed. The least 

 attention, however, to their make will show at once 

 the wide difference between them, and the great su- 

 periority of the Short Horns as feeders, and, we be- 

 lieve, as milkers also. It will not be disputed that 

 the Short Horns consume more food than the Ayr- 

 shires, or any of the smaller lighter breeds ; " but 

 then they give more milk, take up less room, and 

 give less trouble in proportion to the quantity of 

 milk they give." As a proof that such is the 

 opmion entertained abroad, we may state, on the 



