108 BRITISH BREEDS. 



By many it is supposed to be the aboriginal sheep of 

 Scotland ; but Mr. Cully, who is high authority, thinks the 

 dun-faced sheep, which is smaller and slower in arriving at 

 maturity, to be the true original Scottish sheep. 



The belief is common in Scotland, that the black-faced 

 sheep are of foreign origin, and the forest of Ettrick was 

 their original locality.* 



" They have mostly horns, more or less spirally formed, 

 but the females are frequently without horns. The faces 

 and legs are black, or at least mottled ; the eyes are wild 

 and fierce. They are covered with wool about the forehead 

 and lower jaw, and the wool generally is somewhat open 

 and long, coarse, and shaggy ; not so long, however, but 

 that the sheep may be properly classed among the middle- 

 wooled breeds."! 



In consequence of greater attention to choice selections 

 of individuals for breeding, the form has changed, within a 

 few years, for the better ; the carcase has become so short, 

 round, firm, and handsome, as to acquire the name of short 

 sheep, in contradistinction to the Cheviot, or long sheep. 



The mutton, especially since this improvement of form 

 was effected, is highly esteemed in the London market, re- 

 sembling, more than any other English breeds, the South 

 Down in the fineness of its grain and the delicacy of its 

 flavor. This is attributed in a measure to the nature and 

 variety of the herbage on which they are fed during sum- 

 mer. The weight of this breed, when fattened, is from 16 

 to 20 lbs. per quarter, and the weight of the fleece unwashed 

 is about 5 lbs. 



No other breeds equal the black-faced sheep in hardiness 

 of constitution, and endurance of cold. 



CHEVIOT SHEEP. 



One of the most distinguished British breeds of sheep is 

 the Cheviot ; and from their comparative early maturity, 

 valuable mutton qualities, and, especially, hardiness of con- 

 stitution, which would adaptate them to the rigorous climate 

 of the northern portions of our own country, it can scarcely 

 be doubted that a trial, at least, ere long, will be made by 

 some of our enterprising countrymen, and their general 

 merits tested. 



* Fanner's Magazine. t Youatt. 



