Character in Old Breeds. 131 



thrift, excellent form, and vigor of constitution. The 

 climate is damp and uncomfortable, frequently chilling the 

 blood of cattle or people not used to it, and it is prob- 

 able that these conditions of the climate in the Hebrides, 

 led to the development of the longer coats of hair to shelter 

 and protect the ski'n from the chilling influences of un- 

 comfortable, damp, and boisterous winds. Their remark- 

 ably long-hair coats serve this purpose admirably, and, it 

 is reasonable to suppose, were naturally produced to sup- 

 ply the needed protection. 



The scarcity of food, for ages — perhaps for centuries — 

 compelled constant activity in the breed ; and this on hilly, 

 precipitous surfaces, led to their full muscular develop- 

 ment, and low compact form, which long-continued ex- 

 ercise in like conditions, coupled with inherited tenden- 

 cies, have in time become so firmly fixed that no improve- 

 ment can be made in the Kyloes by crossing; this, their 

 owners state, having been proved by experiment. 



The Kyloe cattle are exceedingly thrifty ; and though 

 small, dressing only 600 to 800 lbs., they are the best 

 adapted breed, having fixed character, to bear exposure in 

 . the high latitudes of the United States, and to scant feed 

 in the cool climates of high ranges, where they would not 

 be likely to shrink in size — if well supplied with water — 

 from the influence of any probable exposure. Such cattle 

 would do well, and pay well, where larger, less muscular, 

 and less hardy breeds would shrink and fail. 



The Galloway Cattle 

 are somewhat larger, but still of smallish size, bred in 

 an inland and considerably warmer climate than that 

 of the Western Islands. But they have thick hides, and 

 shorter hair, the somewhat dryer inland air where the 

 Galloways* are chiefly raised, reducing the necessity for 



* There are excellent Galloways in Dodge Co., Wisconsin, 



