1024 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



soft and spongy lands, where its constitutional vigor should stand it in 

 good stead. 



VIII. Middle and Shcrt-wooled British Sheep. 



The middle and ^hort-wooled sheep of Great Britain are comprised 

 principally in the following breeds: The Black-faced and the White- 

 faced Highland sheep; the Hampshire-Downs; the Oxford-Downs; the 

 Shropshire-Downs; 'the Cheviots; the Dorsets; the Welsh Mountain sheep, 

 and the mixed Mountain sheep of Ireland. 



IX. White-faced Mountain Sheep. 



Wales has long been noted for one of the indigenous breeds of British 

 sheep, as it also has been as possessing one of the indigenous breeds of 

 British cattle. This breed seems clearly allied to the Highland sheep of 

 Scotland, and long occupied much of the low lands and hill region adjoin- 

 ing Wales. Its principal recommendation is the superior quality of the 



LINCOLN EWE, GIBSON'S 16 2, BY ROYAL DUKE. 

 Grand Champion Ewe of her Breed. 



mutton, which, however, seldom weighs more than eight to ten pounds 

 per quarter. These sheep are hardy, good nui-ses, with faces white, rusty-" 

 brown, or speckled with grey. The fleeces weigh only about two pounds 

 each, but the wool is famous for its quality of not shrinking in wash- 

 ing, a quality probably due, mainly, to the fact of its being home- 

 spun, since the same quality is allowed to all home-spun flannel ia « 

 greater or less degree. 



