THE BLACK-FACED SHEEP. 87 



which they appear to have done at an early period, and finally 

 the Highlands of Scotland, beyond the Grampians, about one 

 hundred and twenty years ago. Interest in such matters is 

 comparatively recent, but the silence, or the speculations, of 

 early writers as to the origin of these sheep are in themselves 

 evidences of the antiquity of the breed. We sometimes find 

 it difficult to clearly separate the long-woolled races of 

 England, as no one can look at Devon long- wools, Wensley- 

 dale, Leicester, Lincoln, or Romney Marsh sheep without 

 feeling that they have many points in common. Similarly 

 the Down breeds have many points of common resemblance, 

 and may be marked off as forming a second definite group. 

 The Black-faces and Lonks form a third perfectly distinct 

 type. The Cheviot sheep form another class, while the Herd- 

 wicks comprise a fifth group, having little in common with 

 any yet named or described. How, within the four seas which 

 bound our land, so many distinct types originated, or became 

 naturalised, it is now impossible to say, but one of two 

 theories may be reasonably adopted. First, that they have 

 had distinct origin, from several wild species. Secondly, that 

 they have been specialised by peculiarities of soil, of climate 

 and of food, as well as by the fancy or the requirements of 

 breeders, as in the case of the various descriptions of pigeons, 

 and many other domesticated creatures. Both views may in 

 fact be held ; for we may reasonably believe that there have 

 been some four or five original types of sheep which, by cross- 

 ing and cultivation, have at length yielded the many breeds 

 which we now possess. There is also the possibility of im- 

 portation, by accident or by intention, of sheep which have 

 become naturalised among us. Presents of animals have 

 always been favourite tokens of respect among kings, and it is 

 possible that our Black-faced breed was obtained in this way. 

 This consideration gives colour to the statement which as- 

 cribes the introduction of the Black-faces into Ettrick forest 

 to James IV. ; but no one has ventured upon explaining how 

 he became possessed of them. 



