THE SHEEP. 39 



one or two, and sometimes three, or even four lambs : such in- 

 stances of fecundity, however, are rare. The time of gestation 

 is five months, and she brings forth in the spring, seldom earlier 

 than the month of February, or later than the middle of April. 



The Lincolnshire breed of sheep, which, with some variations 

 and intermixtures, is extended through most of the eastern and 

 midland counties of England, is large, and bears heavy fleeces ; 

 but the wool is very long, and not so fine as some others ; the 

 mutton is also esteemed somewhat coarser than that of smaller 

 sized sheep. The largest breed of sheep, in the whole island, is 

 found on the banks of the Tees, in that fertile valley which sepa- 

 rates Yorkshire from the county of Durham. Some of these 

 sheep have been fed to the weight of fifty pounds per quarter ; 

 one, in particular, was found to weigh sixty-two pounds and a 

 half per quarter ; this was supposed to be the heaviest sheep 

 ever slaughtered in this kingdom. This breed of sheep is more 

 prolific than several others ; but those of Dorsetshire are prin- 

 cipally remarked for their extraordinary fecundity, being capable 

 of producing twice a year. From this breed, the tables of the 

 great and opulent are supplied with early lamb at Christmas, or 

 sooner if required. Great numbers of these are sent to the 

 London markets, and sold at the enormous price of ten, or per- 

 haps fifteen shillings per quarter. This circumstance contributes 

 not a little to enhance the value of the Dorsetshire breed of 

 sheep, which, with some variations, is spread through most of 

 the southern counties, but found pure and unmixed only in Dor- 

 setshire and Wiltshire. In the north-west parts of England, 

 there is a hardy, black-faced breed, the wool of which is coarse 

 nnd shaggy, but the flesh is esteemed excellent, In the northern 

 districts of Scotland, a breed of sheep is common, which is re- 

 markable for the smnllness of its size, as well as the fineness of 

 its mutton : their wool, which is also very fine, is streaked with 

 the various colours of black, brown, and red. Some of these 

 sheep do not weigh above six or seven pounds per quarter. 



The Shetland sheep are generally without horns, and hand- 

 some, although very small. When fed, they do not weigh more 

 than eight or ten pounds per quarter. This breed of sheep is 

 exceeding hardy, and consequently well adapted to the severe 

 climate where it is found ; but what renders them an object of 

 importance is, that their wool is esteemed by good judges to be 

 equal in fineness to that of Tibet of which the Indian shawls 

 are made. These sheep have a kind of long hair intermixed 

 among the wool a singular instance of the providence of the 

 All-wise Creator, in considering the wants of this animal in so 

 cold a climate ; for as they are never shorn, the wool is pulled 



