Oattle for Western Ranges. 101 



lands in the Western country. The Devons are of less 

 weight and better travelers, and full of muscular vigor and 

 elasticity, the best middle-sized breed, and well adapted 

 to the undulating lands adjoining rich bottoms. 



Size being alluded to, it may be well to show that size 

 will naturally, and by force of circumstances, conform to 

 conditions of climate, feed, and topography. 



The light-muscled Ayrshire cattle were probably reduced 

 to their present small size by the greater cold, damp, and 

 austerity of the climate of Ayrshire, compared with that of 

 the Tees valley further to the south and east. And cer- 

 tainly, we have a recent instance of several herds of Short- 

 horns being reduced in size by the — to them — nezv condi- 

 tion of living, giving them new character and form; or, 

 practically, forming a new breed of middle-sized cattle, as 

 witnessed only a few years ago by Mr. X. A. Willard,* of 

 Herkimer County, New York, who saw them in California, 

 and wrote that they "were reduced to about the general 

 size of Ayrshires, and were lower on their legs, and rounder 

 in form than Short-horns usually are in the Atlantic States. ' ' 

 We try to remember Mr. W.'s meaning, rather than his 

 exact words. 



What Short-horn admirers may conclude from the fore- 

 going facts, we cannot say, but several inferences seem to 

 follow : The reduced size of frame indicates less phosphate 

 of lime, or bone-forming material, than is found in abund- 

 ance in the Blue Grass districts of the West, where Short- 

 horns frequently grow to very large size. Their smaller . 

 size in California indicates scantier feed, while their shorter 

 legs and rounder form indicates fuller muscular growth, 

 arising necessarily from much greater and longer-continued 

 activity in gathering their feed on the more undulating 

 California slopes and ranges. The spreading or thicken- 

 ing of the muscles of the legs, in climbing steep surfaces, 



*As stated in note in answer to our inquiries. 



