SOUDi DOWN— CHEVIUT. O 



to the eyes. Ttiey are a small breed, suited to every 

 market, weighing from 12 lbs. to 16 lbs. a-ouarter 

 The carcass is tolerably well-formed, and the wool 

 fine and short, each fleece we'lg-hing- from 1^ lb. to 

 "2^ lbs., rarely, however, exceeding 2 lbs. They were 

 called Ryeland sheep, from a district in the southern 

 part of Herefordshire being thought capable of growing 

 nothing but rye. Though their figure is good, the back 

 is not so level, nor the ribs so well rounded, as in the 

 improved breeds. They fatten easily, however, and 

 arrive soon at maturity, though reckoned inferior in 

 these respects to the Cheviot variety. 



(12.) The South Down, like the Ryeland, are, from 

 the delicacy of their constitution, unadapted for bleak 

 situations, but sufficiently hardy and active for a low 

 country ; their average weight is from 15 lbs. to 18 lbs. 

 a-quarter ; that of the fleece, which is very short and 

 fine, being from '1^ lbs. to 3 lbs. They are without 

 horns have grey faces and legs, a neck low set and 

 small, and a breast neither wide nor deej) ; their mut- 

 ton is fine in the grain, and of an excellent flavour, 

 having been brought to great perfection by Mr Ellman 

 of Glynd, and other intelligent breeders. They are 

 mostly found in Sussex, on dry chalky downs produc- 

 ing short fine herbage, and arrive early at maturity ; in 

 which respect they are equal to the Cheviot, though 

 inferior to them in quantity of tallow. Formerly they 

 would not tske on fat till four years old ; now they are 

 always at market when about two years of age, and 

 laany are killed before that period. Fig. 2. PI. IT. 



(13.) The Cheviot Sheep have a bare head, with a 

 long jaw, and white face, but uo horns Sometimes 



