THE SOUTH DOWN BREED. 167 



and Cumberland. But, beyond the limits of the countries of 

 the true chalk, or of the calcareous district in contact with 

 the chalk, it is only found occupying tracts of narrow extent, 

 or is employed as a means of improving the flocks of the 

 heaths, commons, or .other tracts which are still occupied by 

 races of smaller Short-woolled Sheep. It has been introduced 

 into Scotland, and partially cultivated with some success ; 

 but it has made no general progress in that country, and does 

 not seem calculated to displace the hardier mountain breeds 

 already acclimated. 



The wide extension of a breed so greatly improved as the 

 South Down, must be regarded as having been in a singular 

 degree beneficial. Although itself the native of a dry coun- 

 try, and therefore, it may be supposed, imperfectly suited to 

 a humid soil and atmosphere, yet its range is not confined to 

 very narrow limits. It is naturally of a healthy constitution, 

 patient of scanty herbage, and, from the closeness of its 

 fleece, fitted to resist changes of temperature. Further, like 

 every other race of Sheep, it possesses the faculty of becom- 

 ing inured to new conditions of soil and temperature ; and 

 experience, accordingly, has shewn, that it may be gradually 

 naturalized in countries very different from that from which 

 it has been derived. By crossing, it can be readily amalga- 

 mated with all the varieties of Sheep which can be referred 

 to the Black-faced Heath Breed as their type ; and it can be 

 made to improve the Black-faced Heath Breed itself, in situa- 

 tions in which hardiness, and adaptation to a rude climate and 

 country, are not more to be regarded than the improvement 

 of the form and fleece. 



The wool of the South Down Sheep weighs, when washed, 

 about 3 Ib. the fleece ; but, in some of the more highly-fed 

 flocks of the lower countries, its weight is now 4 Ib. or more. 

 The staple, or length of the filaments, is from 2| to 4 inches, 

 while that of the older breed rarely exceeded 2 inches, and 

 more frequently fell short of that length. The wool, although 

 fine and short, is somewhat harsh and brittle, and never was 



