Breeds of Sheep 35 



in the native districts of the breeds. A greater 

 abundance of food, better shelter, and other details 

 of management will in time obliterate the character- 

 istics of a mountain breed and develop in them the 

 attributes of an upland breed or change the latter 

 into a breed adapted for the lower lands. 



Effect of altitude on type. — Type being one of the 

 most] peculiar features of a breed, it is interesting 

 to indicate its bearing on the sheep adapted for 

 different altitudes. It may be said that each breed 

 has its peculiar type and within them are the family 

 types that are somewhat characteristic of the flocks 

 of each breeder. It is to the former, when not due 

 to culture, that the references herein are made. 

 In nature, it is produced by function under the un- 

 trammeled action of natural conditions. Among 

 the mountain sheep, there is a tendency to approach 

 the shape of a wedge, with an extra strong loin and 

 long hindquarters. Much more defined, however, 

 is the circular form that most of the Down breeds 

 approach, and this is quite distinct from the squarer- 

 formed and heavier bodies of the large white-faced 

 breeds. 



Effect of altitude on size. — Closely connected with 

 type is the influence of altitude and its attributes on 

 size. The gamut nms from the Lincoln, the mastodon 

 among sheep, to the smallest of mountain sheep that 

 prefer to have its " ribs less rich " that it may battle 

 successfully with the stern conditions of its native 



