Oattle for Western Ranges. ■ 103 



derived from, and according to, muscular or vital growth ; 

 and neither native cattle nor any others can be improved 

 in vigor, economy of keeping, or enduring power to with- 

 stand adverse influences, except by increased muscular or 

 vital growth, and in vigor, from muscular improvement. 



Whatever breefls of cattle may be resorted to in com- 

 mencing, or whatever course may be adopted in forming 

 new breeds, — new in difference, arising from crossing and 

 modification by changed conditions, — natural conditions 

 of locality will in time enforce conformity in their growth, 

 vigor, and character, as undulating and steep surfaces have 

 originally given rise to the round forms in Devon and 

 Scotcli cattle, in Morgan horses, and California Short- 

 horns. 



The small Brittany cattle of France would be well adapt- 

 ed to light soils and scant feed on high table-lands, or 

 where heavier cattle would not thrive well, and would an- 

 swer as a middle grade between cattle and sheep, in some 

 localities, where the surface is undulating, and feed is 

 scant. 



The most important thing to be considered then, is, 

 that full muscular development is the foundation of vigor, 

 and power to bear adverse influences or exposure, by any 

 breed or size of cattle whatever. 



It is also important to procure bulls that have been reared 

 in similar conditions — animals that are not enervated — 

 as near as they can be conveniently obtained, so that less 

 change ofgrowth and character during the process of adapt- 

 ation may be required, and the same holds true in select- 

 ing cows for new localities. 



Plastic character in cattle is not the result of vigor, as it 

 is easily changed character, which is an evidence of insta- 

 bility, and susceptibility to external influences, rather than 

 of stability and vigor. But nature will in time enforce 

 conformity of character to leading local influences ; and 



