84 THE SHEEP. 



of these races, which possess fine wool, and which, by being 

 acclimated in a lower country, would have increased in size 

 and economical value. Some of the Forest Sheep of Stafford- 

 shire were at least equal to the original Southdowns ; and, 

 had they been cultivated with the same care, might have 

 been extended to districts to which the Southdowns, bred in 

 a country of chalk and fine herbage, are less adapted. 



VIII THE BLACK-FACED HEATH BREED. 



From the high lands of Derbyshire on the south, to the 

 confines of Scotland on the north, extends a chain of rugged 

 heathy mountains, whose summit ridge separates the waters 

 of the Tyne, the Tees, the Swale, the Wharfe, and other 

 rivers which flow to the eastward, from those of the Bibble, 

 the Lowther, the Lune, and others which flow westward. The 

 elevation of this tract is from 1200 to 3000 feet, the highest 

 summits being Cross Fell, near the sources of the South Tyne 

 and Tees, on the eastern part of Cumberland ; Skinner Fell, 

 on the confines of Yorkshire and Westmoreland ; Wharnside 

 and others in the westerly part of Yorkshire. This central 

 chain is separated from the yet higher mountains of Cum- 

 berland and Westmoreland on the west, by the beautiful 

 vales of Kendal and Eden. The tract is destitute of bold- 

 ness and grandeur, and, towards the east, passes into the 

 tame moors of Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire. 

 This dreary tract is generally covered with coarse heaths, 

 mixed with sedges, rushes, and the less nutritious grasses, 

 and, from being exposed to the winds of both the eastern and 

 western seas, possesses a cold climate. It has given rise to 

 a race of Sheep now very widely diffused. This race has 

 been termed the Black-faced Heath Breed, a name which, 

 though it does not distinguish it from some of the Forest 

 Breeds, may be retained, as indicating its peculiar habitat in 

 a country of heaths. 



