32 SHEEP : BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



exists in second rate-animals, and is most evident in rough 

 weather, when the animals are viewed at a disadvantage. 



The characteristics of these sheep are as follows: The 

 head is wedge-shaped, and the nose is straighter than that of 

 the Leicester. The face is covered with white hairs, some- 

 times interspersed with light grey patches or specks. The 

 lips are black, as is also the skin close to the eye. The ears 

 are long and flexible, and inclined rather upward. The fore- 

 head is decorated with a flowing top-knot, which is never 

 shorn or shortened, even when the sheep are being trimmed 

 for show. This forelock must be considered as one of the most 

 characteristic features of the race. The carcase points of all 

 breeds of sheep are very similar, and much of what has been 

 advanced with reference to Leicesters is equally applicable 

 to Cotswolds. As the late secretary of the Farmers' Club 

 pointed out, character lies in the head, and when the head is 

 off there is little difference between the various long-woolled 

 breeds. Thus good shoulders, and well let down legs of 

 mutton, ample loins and well sprung ribs, depth and square- 

 ness of carcase, good girth and well carried out quarters, are 

 formulae which well might be repeated over every breed. We 

 shall therefore assume that, so far as carcase is concerned, 

 well-made sheep should possess all these points, and content 

 ourselves with the consideration of those characters which 

 really mark the race. The skin of the Cotswold is covered 

 with a fleece of great length and weight, although inferior in 

 both points to the Lincolns. In " crack " flocks the fleece? 

 run three to the tod of 28 Ibs. or gj- Ibs. each, and many fleeces 

 have been shorn weighing close upon two to the tod ; but this 

 must be considered as exceptional. 



The wool lies on the surface of the fleece in large round 

 curls, and the fibre is somewhat coarse and hair-like when 

 examined separately, and has no wavy wrinkles such as are 

 seen in Shropshire or Hampshire wool. The sheep stands 

 straight on his legs, and carries himself nobly. 



Cotswold lambs are somewhat ragged in appearance during 



