THE RAM. 589 



small difference in their breadth, and they almost gradually 

 diminish from the centre to the sides. The basal range 

 above the gums is also nearly parallel. 



Fig. 10 shows the character of the teeth on the seventh 

 and eighth years, when the general length and breadth con- 

 tinue nearly as in the fifth and sixth years ; but the two cen- 

 tral ones are generally considerably worn down, or broken, as 

 exhibited in our figure, and frequently dark-green, or brov^^n, 

 at their base above the gums, and their hue rather yellow 



CHAPTER y. 



GESTATION, PARTURITION, &C. 



THE RAM. 



Of late years much attention has been paid to the form of 

 the ram from which to breed, as well as the quality of his 

 wool, fleeces, and other properties which experience has 

 shown to be the most appropriate. 



The head should be fine, and rather small than otherwise ; 

 his eyes large and prominent, ears thin, his nostrils wide 

 and expanded, his collar full from the breast and shoulders, 

 but gradually tapering from the junction of the head and 

 neck, and the latter of a graceful and gentle curve, without 

 any appearance of hanging skin underneath ; the shoulders 

 broad and full, and joining smoothly to the collar forward, 

 and to the chine backward, without permitting a hollow in 

 either situation ; the muscle upon his arm or fore-thigh 

 must swell boldly from its superior part to the knee ; the 

 legs straight with a clean and fine bone ; the knee must not 

 have any loose skin about it, and the hair from thence, as 



