OF SCOTLAND.

43

short-horned breed has originated, or is found in the greatestperfection; and an account of the cattle of the several dis-tricts of Scotland will be given in the Appendix . But as thedairy cattle of the western counties, are now a somewhat dis-tinct breed, it will be proper to describe them more particu-larly.

No accurate account has been preserved of the origin ofthis breed, though about forty years ago, the cattle in the bestparts of Cunningham, (the northern division of the county ofAyr, which has since been famous for producing the best ofthis breed,) were of a small size, with high standing crookedhorns, narrow on the back, and flat on the ribs, and mostlyof a black colour, with white spots on their faces and otherparts. About that time, or a little before, both bulls andcows of the Tees-water, or short-horned breed, are said tohave been introduced into Ayrshire, by several proprietors,and it is from them, and their crosses with the native stock,that the present daily breed has been formed.

“ The shapes now most approved of in this variety amongdairy farmers arc as follow : Head small, but rather long atthe muzzle. The eyes small, but smart and lively. The hornssmall, clear, crooked, and their roots at a considerable dis-tance from each other. Neck long and slender, tapering to-wards the head, with no loose skin below. Shoulders thin.Tore-quarters light. Hind-quarters large. Back straight,broad behind, joints rather loose and open. Carcase deep,and pelvis capacious, and wide over the hips, with roundfleshy buttocks. Tail long and small. Legs small and short,with firm joints. Udder capacious, broad and square, stretch-ing forward, and neither fleshy, low hung, nor loose; themilk veins large and prominent. Teats short, all pointingoutwards, and at considerable, distance from each other. Skintiun and loose. Hair soft and woolly. The head , bones, horns,uud all parts of least value small, and the general figure com-l )a ct and well proportioned

* Ayrshire Report, p. 42(3.