THE HAMPSHIRE DOWX. 43 



Body — Well proportioned, with shoulders well placed, 

 fitting smoothly upon the chest, which should be 

 deep and Avide, broad and straight back, thick loins 

 well covered with, firm flesh; hind-quarters well 

 finished; twist deep and full 20 points 



Head and Neck — Head, short, broad between the ears 

 and eyes, bold and masculine in rams, without 

 horns, well covered with wool, ears short and 

 erect, eyes bright, color of face and ears dark- 

 brown. Neck of medium length, strong and mus- 

 cular (especially in rams), symmertically joined 

 to head and shoulders 15 points 



Legs — Well set apart, broad, short, straight, color dark- 

 brown and well wooled; pastern strong and up- 

 right 5 points 



100 



Cbe Rampshire Down. 



The Hampshire Down of to-day in no manner resembles the 

 old Hampshire from which it is supposed to be descended. 



The old Hampshire had probably existed on the Downs of 

 Hampshire in the time of the Roman occupation of Britain, and 

 doubtless its fleece helped furnish the supply for the wool factory 

 established by the Eomans at Winchester. 



They were a large, long-horned sheep, with fine, short wool. 

 The rams were noted for their large, bony, unsightly heads. 



The present improved Hampshires are supposed to have 

 originated from a cross between the old Wiltshire horned-sheep 

 as well as the Berkshire Knot and the Southdown. About 1829 

 a Mr. John Twynam used improved Cotswold rams on Hamp- 

 shire ewes, obtaining an animal which combined the qualities of 

 the old Wiltshire, Southdown, and Cotswold. A? we find the 



