animals were selected by Mr John Grant, Bogs of Advie, and among them were a few of the best-bred and bestlooking cattle in the country. The first importation included two bulls from Ballindalloch, one of them Judge 1150, a frequent prize-winner in Scotland, and the firstprize bull at the Paris Exhibition, when an offer of 300 guineas was refused for him; and Rougemont, out of Siren 1915, of the Sybil family, and after the celebrated Young Viscount 736. The second importation, in the summer of 1881, comprised three of the Erica family, from Mr Robertson, Aberlour Mains-Etta 2225, with heifer calf, and Effie 4847. From Ballindalloch went the two-yearold heifer Maid of Cyprus 4177, by Elcho 595; and from Auchindellan, Gipsy 4006, after Judge 1150. In 1882, eleven animals were imported. They included four from the herd of Sir George Macpherson Grant, viz. Roseblossom 4173, by Elcho 395, of the Rose family at Westertown; Lais 4178, of the Victoria branch of the Queen tribe; and two bull calves by Julius 1819, of the Jilt family. From Mr Hannay, Gavenwood, was purchased the cow Corriemulzie 2nd 3415, of the Montbletton Mayflower family, a first-prize winner at the Royal Northern, and second at the Highland Society's shows; also Aivrin 4551, of the Rothiemay Georgina family; and Rosereyn of the Westertown Rose family. Three animals were selected from the herd of Mr Grant, Mains of Advie, representing the Advie Rose and the Drumin Lucy families. A heifer was bought from Mr Mann, Ballintomb. Mr Whitfield also procured twenty-four unpedigreed polled females for crossing purposes.

Mr Geary, London, Ontario, imported in the summer of 1882 a lot of eighteen. Nine of these were from the herd of Mr Hannay, Gavenwood, comprising Patria 4549, by Challenger 1260, of the Drumin Rose family, a half-sister to the beautiful heifer Pavilion 3772; Caledonia 4550, by Challenger, and of the Rothiemay Georgina family; Oslin

4552, also of the Georgina family; Muscatel 4553, of the Advie Rose family; Blue Ribbon 4554, by Challenger, of the Montbletton Mayflower family, being out of the firstprize Highland Society's cow Blackbird of Corskie 2nd 3024; Rosy Dream 4545, of the Westertown Rose family; Flower o' the Forest 4568; Daydawn 4583; and a heifer out of Henrietta 3912, of the Rothiemay Miss Morrison family. Four females, representing Kinnochtry, Bognie, Boghead, and Ballindalloch families, were obtained from Mr Stephenson, Long Benton, Newcastle-on-Tyne; and two females and two males from Major Godman, Smeaton Manor. The bulls were of the Kinnochtry Princess and the Easter Tulloch Mayflower families. The two-year-old bull Rosebery, out of Rose Leaf 2993, of the Westertown Rose family, and after the Erica sire Elchies 563, was also purchased from the Ballindalloch stock.

Professor Lawson, Halifax, recently imported a lot of polled cattle.

Other Countries.

An importation of polled cattle was made to New Zealand about twenty years ago; and at the Tilly four dispersion the Honourable Mr Holmes bought two well-bred bulls. He had previously bought several animals from Mr Bowie, Mains of Kelly, and Lord Southesk. The most important importation, however, was made in 1882 by Mr R. W. Robertson, Waimea House, Gore, Otago. Among the animals selected by Messrs Bell & Henderson for this gentleman were the following:-Bella 2nd of Greystone 4739, after Major 3rd 662, first-prize two-year-old at the Royal Northern show, and second at the Highland Society in 1881, purchased from Mr Reid, Greystone, with heifer calf at foot, for 200 guineas; Mabel 3rd 3235, of the Pride family, with heifer calf at foot, and a yearling bull, bought from Mr Grant, Methlick, for 200 guineas. The Waterside and Thomastown herds were also drawn on, the former

supplying a yearling bull Waterside Eric, out of the Erica cow Ermin 3532, and after the Pride bull Knight of the Shire 1699. His price was 100 guineas.

Senor Don Carlos Guenero, Buenos Ayres, South America, imported some animals, the selections being made from the Pitfour, Gavenwood, and Montbletton herds.

The Honourable J. J. Dowsett of Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, bought a bull of the Baroness family, and two heifers of the Mina family, from Mr Ferguson, Kinnochtry, in the spring of 1881.

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CHAPTER XVII.

THE LEADING FAMILIES.

The Queen tribe-the Prides of Aberdeen-the Ericas-Princesses-Baronesses-Emilys-Favourites-Miss Watsons-Jilts-Ruths-Kinnaird Fannys Drumin and Mains of Kelly Lucys - Baads Sybils and Kates-Other Ballindalloch families-Portlethen families-Montbletton' families-Mains of Kelly families-Easter Skene families-Drumin families-Castle Fraser families-Rothiemay families-Westertown families-Easter Tulloch families-Mulben families-Advie Rosesthe Zara family-the Fyvie Flowers.

IN the chapters on the various extinct and existing herds, and in other parts of the work, the breeding and career of the leading families have already been pretty fully set forth. To facilitate reference, however, it may be well to present here a few notes regarding those strains that have attained the highest celebrity.

The Queen Tribe.

In the Queen tribe there is a monument to Mr M'Combie's skill and success as a breeder. We have in it the result of the combined efforts in cattle-breeding of Mr Fullerton and Mr M'Combie, but chiefly of the latter, as the material was manipulated by him during a period of no less than thirty-seven years. In examining the career of the Queen tribe, the first point that excites notice is the illustration which it affords of Mr M'Combie's remarkable faculty of instantly and with unerring accu

racy perceiving the inherent qualities and possibilities of development in an animal. This rare acquirement was undoubtedly perfected when he was transacting his immense business in buying and selling store cattle. It came to his aid on the occasion when he attended the late Mr Fullerton's sale at Ardovie in 1844, and made purchases that have become historical in connection with the polled breed. In that year Mr M'Combie brought to Tilly four, from Ardovie, two young heifers Queen Mother 348, and Jean Ann 206, full sisters, both out of Queen of Ardovie 29, and after Panmure 51. The breeding and achievements of these animals have already been described. There was something in their appearance and in their pedigree which fascinated Mr M'Combie, and he determined on securing more of the same sort. He obtained, after considerable trouble, the bull Monarch 44, who was got by Panmure 51, and out of Julia 671, the latter after Panmure 51, and having for dam Susanna, a full sister of Queen of Ardovie 29. With the produce of these closely-allied animals Mr M'Combie resolved to risk his fame as a breeder, and he had no reason to regret the choice, for the strain has made a reputation second to none in the annals of the breed.

Monarch was twice put to Queen Mother, and the produce in 1847 was Lola Montes 208, and in 1849, Bloomer 201, both of which became celebrated prize cows. The following shows the pedigree up to this point: