CROSSING. 147 



the breeding, and we see the pointed, egg-shaped, 

 and goat udder almost universal ; the other breed 

 designed for milk, and the udder is admired for its 

 apacity ; and we therefore find it broad, more level 

 on its sole, and extending far forward and back. 



It is possible, even probable, that Short-horn 

 crosses may have occurred ; for it would be strange 

 that a breed so well and favorably known could exist 

 so near the region of Ayrshire, without attracting the 

 attention of wealthy gentlemen, who were desirous 

 and eager to advance the capabilities of their heri- 

 tage. 



The Holderness, said to have been introduced into 

 the north of England and south of Scotland, 3 also 

 may have been used in modifying the breed ; and it 

 is highly probable that the indistinct black spots 

 which occasionally show through the white hair of 

 the Ayrshires, may be accounted for under the 

 laws of reversion. Where so little is known with 

 certainty of the origin of a breed, and where recorded 

 instances of the presence of other breeds are given, 

 the probabilities of a mixture become almost certain- 

 ties. The presence of cattle from the Irish coast, in 

 the adjacent island of Arran, and the introduction 

 of these same cattle into Galloway, 4 would seem to 

 afford a reasonable presumption of crosses having 

 occurred with these animals in the region of Ayr- 

 shire. It is possible that the orange rim to the eye, 

 occasionally met with among the Ayrshires, is de- 

 rived from a distant Kerry ancestry. 



5 Low's Animals, p. 380. 4 Youatt on Cattle, p. 75. 



