SHEEP. 229 
numbers by the nomad tribes of the Asiatic steppes; some preferring those 
which are entirely black, while others cultivate a pure white breed. A large 
number of lambs of the black breed are killed at a very early age for the sake of 
their skins, which are covered with fine curly wool, and constitute the astrachan of 
commerce. 
The Fezzan sheep, which is brown and white in colour and has a long and 
round tail, has the pelage entirely in the form of hair. 
It would be impossible within the limits at our disposal to mention the various 
breeds of round-tailed domestic sheep met with in various parts of the world; and 
we must, therefore, content ourselves with a brief mention of those cultivated in 
the British Islands. 
The Shetland and Orkney breeds are characterised by their fleece 
being composed of fine soft wool largely intermixed with hair. They 
are of small size and hardy disposition, with horns frequently present in both 
sexes, although often wanting in the ewes; and their colour may be either black, 
brown, grey, or white. 
The older soft-woolled sheep of Scotland are a small-horned 
breed, with lank bodies and short wool, which is deficient in the 
property of felting. They are nearly extinct. 
Of the Welsh sheep there are two races, both of small size. The 
first is the higher mountain-breed, characterised by the presence of 
horns in both sexes, their generally dark colour, and the intermixture of a large 
proportion of hair among their soft wool. The second breed is hornless, with soft 
wool, which is deficient in the property of felting. These sheep are hardy, and 
noted for the excellence of their flesh; when removed from their native pastures 
they are impatient of restraint. 
The Irish Wicklow sheep were almost identical with the Welsh 
mountain sheep, but have been much altered by crossing. There are, 
however, several other Irish breeds, among which the Kerry is the best known. 
These are larger than the Welsh sheep, with the horns frequently absent in the 
ewes, and the fleece moderately soft, but irregular, and mixed with hair. They are 
late in reaching maturity, and wild in disposition. 
The black-faced Heath breed, which are natives of the chain of 
mountains and moors extending northwards from Derbyshire, are the 
hardiest and boldest of all the British races. Both sexes are horned, and their 
faces and limbs are dark-coloured, and their fleeces coarse and shaggy. When 
taken to lower grounds, their wool becomes finer. 
The Cheviot breed, originally confined to a small tract of grassy 
hills in the north of England, are rather heavier, although less robust 
than the last. Both sexes are hornless, their faces and limbs are white, and they 
Shetland Breed. 
Scotch Breeds. 
Welsh Sheep. 
Irish Breeds. 
Heath Breed. 
Cheviots. 
produce wool of moderate fineness. 
The old Norfolk breed, of the eastern counties of England, 
are strong and active sheep, with horns in both sexes, which are 
thick and spiral in the rams. The body and limbs are long, the head carried is 
high, and the face and legs are black; while the wool is silky and of medium 
length. 
Norfolk Breed, 
