Derivation of the Domestic Polled Breeds. 785 
and to have been distinguished from other domestic breeds by their 
superior size and the length of their horns. The Kyloes and the 
runts are, on the contrary, remarkable for their small size, and are 
characterised either by short horns, as in the Bos longifrons, or the 
entire absence of these weapons.” 
With all due respect to Sir Richard, exception must be taken to 
his ideas as to the characterisation of the Welsh and Highland 
cattle. Has he ever seen either race at the Smithfield Show at 
London, or other National Shows, or on their native heath? If he 
had he would not have fallen into the error of characterising these 
cattle as of small size, or short horned, or wanting in the charac- 
teristics of their progenitors, the Uri. If he had seen them as 
they may be seen, he must have been convinced that they do possess 
the strongest claims to such descent of any existing race, in respect 
of size, length of horn, and general characteristics. This is the 
common error that many have fallen into, not having seen repre- 
sentative or real specimens of the breed. How many animal forms 
have not large and small associated varieties or species? This 
needs no illustration. Besides, “size” depends not always on 
Species, but on environment. That these small and large Scotch 
horned correspond respectively with longifrons and urus, we 
believe, however, is true. 
_ Contrast with Owen’s ideas the practical knowledge of Professor 
Low. In his “Domesticated Animals” he says: “ These English 
White Forest breeds have merged in the common breeds of the 
country.” He believes, however, that the same animals are yet to 
be found in that part of the Kingdom where we should naturally 
look for the existence of an indigenous race of. cattle, viz., beyond 
the Severn, in Wales, and in the West Highlands. 
“The mountain breeds of Scotland,” he says, “ are identical with 
those which formerly inhabited the woods of that country, which, 
we have seen, were the ancient Uri, and which we may term the 
White Forest breed.” He has also some excellent remarks on the 
Comparative size of the Urus and his modern representative, which 
are too long to quote. But he says: “The size of the Pembroke 
cattle is that of the larger class of the breed of the West Highlands 
of Scotland ”—which corresponds with all practical breeders’ know- 
ledge on the subject. 
