54 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The following remarks, taken from Mr. Culley's 

 "Observations on Live Stock," will not be un- 

 acceptable to many of our readers, as they convey 

 a just idea of some of the most noted kinds of 

 Sheep at this time in the island. He begins with 

 those of Lincolnshire, which are of a large size, 

 big-boned, and afford a greater quantity of wool 

 than any other kind, owing to the rich, fat marshes 

 on which they feed; but their flesh is coarse, 

 leaner, and not so finely flavoured as that of 

 smaller Sheep. The same breed extends, with 

 some variations, through most of the midland 

 counties of England. The Dorsetshire breed is 

 likewise remarkably prolific, the Ewes being 

 capable of bringing forth twice a year. It is from 

 these that the tables of our nobility and gentry are 

 supplied with early lamb at Christmas, or sooner, 

 if required. Great numbers of those early victims 

 to luxury are yearly sent to the London markets, 

 where they are sold at the enormous price of 

 i os. 6d. or perhaps 155. per quarter. The manner 

 of rearing the lambs is curious : they are imprison- 

 ed in little dark cabins; the Ew r es are fed with oil- 

 cakes, hay, corn, turnips, cabbages, or any other 

 food which the season of the year affords; these 

 are given them in a field contiguous to the apart- 

 ments where the lambs are kept; and, at proper 

 intervals, the nurses are brought in to give suck to 

 their young ones; while the attendants, at the 

 same time, make their lodgings perfectly clean, 

 and litter them with fresh straw. Great attention 

 is paid to this, as much of the success of rear- 

 ing these unseasonable productions depends upon 

 warmth and cleanliness. 



The Dorsetshire Sheep are mostly white-faced; 



