332 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



legs free from wool ; the belly full of wool ; the wool close 

 and free from projecting or strong fibers. Those flocks not 

 bred with particular care are apt to be coarse wooled on 

 the back." 



The Southdown of to-day presents some contrasts to 

 this : It is characterized by very short, straight legs, set 

 wide apart ; broad, level back, very thickly fleshed ; long 

 and broad hips, with tail setting very little below level 

 of back; short neck, very thick at shoulder and sharply 

 tapering toward head ; the head small, but comparatively 

 broad and flat between the ears ; forehead full ; face short 

 and in ewes somewhat dished ; eyes very prominent ; 

 ears small, carried above the level and covered, the English 

 association says, with wool, while the American says 

 with fine hair. The face and legs are now a uniform red- 

 dish brown, except some lingering white hairs about the 

 nose. The face has a lively expression, in keeping with the 

 quick movements of the Southdown. The hind-quarters 

 carry down very heavy ; the twist is extremely deep and 

 full; the breast very broad and prominent; both fore 

 and hind flanks very full, thus giving an almost straight 

 under-line. The hoofs are often black. They are of thin 

 yet firm horn, making a good foot. There is now a large 

 cap of wool on the forehead, and on many specimens the 

 wool is working farther down on the legs. A bright pink 

 color of skin is desired, and is uniformly found with healthy 

 individuals. The Southdown may safely be said to be the 

 hardiest of all the English breeds under American condi- 

 tions and methods. It is freer from catarrhal troubles and 

 does not so quickly succumb to the ravages of internal 

 parasites. In these particulars it approaches the Merino. 



379. Uses of Southdown sheep. Southdown rams 

 prove highly satisfactory for mating with the long-legged 



