332 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
legs free from wool; the belly full of wool; the wool close 
and free from projecting or strong fibers. Those flocks not 
bred with particular care are apt to be coarse wooled on 
the back.” 
The Southdown of to-day presents some contrasts to 
this: It is characterized by very short, straight legs, set 
wide apart; broad, level back, very thickly fleshed; long 
and broad hips, with tail setting very little below level 
of back; short neck, very thick at shoulder and sharply 
tapering toward head; the head small, but comparatively 
broad and flat between the ears; forehead full; face short 
and in ewes somewhat dished; eyes very prominent; 
ears small, carried above the level and covered, the English 
association says, with wool, while the American says 
with fine hair. The face and legs are now a uniform red- 
dish brown, except some lingering white hairs about the 
nose. The face has a lively expression, in keeping with the 
quick movements of the Southdown. The hind-quarters 
carry down very heavy; the twist is extremely deep and 
full; the breast very broad and prominent; both fore 
and hind flanks very full, thus giving an almost straight 
under-line. The hoofs are often black. They are of thin 
yet firm horn, making a good foot. There is now a large 
cap of wool on the forehead, and on many specimens the 
wool is working farther down on the legs. A bright pink 
color of skin is desired, and is uniformly found with healthy 
individuals. The Southdown may safely be said to be the 
hardiest of all the English breeds under American condi- 
tions and methods. It is freer from catarrhal troubles and 
does not so quickly succumb to the ravages of internal 
parasites. In these particulars it approaches the Merino. 
379. Uses of Southdown sheep. — Southdown rams 
prove highly satisfactory for mating with the long-legged 
