Breeds of Sheep 33 



acter, and at the same time supply a general key to 

 these. 



Adaptability of the breeds. — The Romney Marsh, 

 where the sheep of this name are reared, is stated to 

 be a plain of rich soil drained by wide ditches and 

 also so near the level of the sea as to require the 

 protection of walls. Notwithstanding this, there 

 are more sheep kept there than on any equal area 

 in Great Britain. From this, the first rise brings 

 us to the Cotswold Hills with an altitude of 500 to 

 600 feet ; it is asserted that it is only upon hills not 

 exceeding 900 feet in height above the level of the 

 sea that the Cotswold sheep will flourish. Above 

 this comes the Downs, usually rolling in aspect and 

 with an elevation of about 1000 feet above the level 

 of the sea. Higher still, between England and 

 Scotland, are the Cheviot Hills that rise in places 

 2700 feet above the sea, giving their name to an 

 active hardy breed of sheep that prefer to range 

 such rugged lands. Above this is the home of the 

 Blackfaced mountain sheep, a breed exceptionally 

 rugged in constitution with the ability to do well in 

 a heather country. Again up, and we reach the home 

 of the Welsh and Wicklow mountain sheep that have 

 been observed feeding at an altitude of 3200 feet on 

 the side of Ben Nevis. The highest grazings that 

 sheep of any variety have been known to reach is 

 reported to be in Pern on the plateau of the Andes, 

 that range in altitude from 10,000 to 17,000 feet; 



