HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 63 



THE LEICESTERSHIRE IMPROVED 

 BREED. 



To these various and numerous tribes of this use- 

 ful animal, we must add, that, by the persevering 

 industry and attention of Mr. Bakewell, of Dish- 

 ley, in Leicestershire, our breed of Sheep has been 

 greatly improved ; and he has been followed by 

 many eminent breeders with nearly equal success. 



It seems to be generally agreed, that in Sheep, 

 as well as in all other animals, there is a certain 

 symmetry or proportion of parts, which is best adap- 

 ted to the size of each particular animal : all those of 

 each kind that exceed or fall short of this pitch, are 

 more or less disproportioned, according to the size 

 they attain ; and in the degree they are advanced 

 beyond this line of perfection, we find them less 

 active, weaker, and always less able to endure hard- 

 ship. Thus, by selecting the handsomest and best 

 proportioned of their kinds, the judicious breeder 

 has gradually arrived at a degree of perfection in 



