546 THE KYLOE. 



quantity of potash. The horns are also formed into drinking- 

 vessels, wind- instruments, shoe-horns, combs, knife-handles, 

 flasks, snuff-boxes, &c. j and when softened, by hot water or 

 by hot wax, they are either compressed or cut into pellucid 

 plates for lanthorns. Several medicinal articles are obtained by 

 the decomposition of the bones, and they also form a strong 

 manure. D'Azara says, that in Paraguay ox bones are the 

 substitute for fire- wood in many places where the latter is not 

 procurable, and they are made to burn by the addition of suet j 

 and the skulls are used as chairs or stools in the estancias, or 

 pasture-grounds. The hair is used in mortar 3 the hide, when 

 tanned, is a strong and durable leather ; the intestines and the 

 bladder are applied to various useful purposes in domestic 

 economy ; vellum is made of calves' skin j and of very thin vellum, 

 or of the finer parts of the intestines, gold beater's skin is made j 

 and the blood of oxen is excellent manure for fruit-trees, and 

 is used to refine sugar. 



THE KYLOE, OR ARGYLLSHIRE Ox. 



This breed is abundant in the Hebrides, or western isles of 

 Scotland. The generality have a fine shape, a thick and furry 

 coat of a dark brown colour, or black, though sometimes 



