152 



THE LEICESTER 



he followed became known to have a " beneficial effect upon all the 

 different breeds of domestic animals." 



Description. The English Leicester is a white-faced breed 

 with a very wide, deep, rectangular-like body and a short, thick 

 neck which does not carry the head much above the shoulders. The 

 general form of the face is wedge-shaped ; the nose is slightly narrow 

 and Eoman ; the ears, which extend about straight out from the head, 

 are well-proportioned and in size harmonize with the size of the 



Fia. 102. Border Leicester ram. The Border Leicester has no wool on the head, and depth 

 of body in proportion to its length and width is not as great as in the English Leicester. 



head. Mature rams in breeding condition weigh from 225 to 250 

 pounds; ewes from 175 to 200 pounds. 



The wool of the English Leicester forms a tuft on the forehead 

 and extends below to the knees and hocks. It terminates in " short 

 twisted curies " which give a striking and pleasing external appear- 

 ance to the fleece. 



Markings and Skin. With the exception of an occasional black 

 speck, the face, ears, and legs are covered with short, bluish- white 

 hair, but the hoofs and the bare skin on the nose are black. The body 

 skin is pink or cherry in color. Both sexes are hornless (Fig. 102). 



