British Breeds of Sheep 61 



a possible 100, while next to it comes the Leicester 

 with a score of 84. The leading merits credited to 

 the Border Leicester for this purpose are its aptitude 

 to fatten, hardihood and soundness, from a mutton 

 standpoint, giving both weight and quality, while in 

 fleece it is ranked noticeably high because of its 

 quality. In respect to its suitability for crossing 

 on fine-wooled stock, the Border Leicester is con- 

 sidered perfect by this authority, as it receives the 

 full score allowed for that feature in the table. 



The Cotswold (Figs. 13, 15, Pis. II, HI) 



There is some doubt as to the existence of sheep in 

 Great Britain before the time of the Roman Conquest, 

 as Caesar does not make specific reference to them. 

 However, it is generally thought that in the passage 

 where he makes reference to "cattle loaded with 

 fleeces " he had sheep in mind, and if so, it is but proper 

 to assume that they were Cotswold sheep, for no 

 other variety at that time would be so likely to con- 

 form to this description. Better evidence of the 

 antiquity of this breed is afforded, however, by the 

 fact that the hills which the sheep inhabit take their 

 name from the sheep instead of the customary ruling 

 of the sheep taking their breed name from their 

 native district. Camden, referring to this, states 

 that "Cotes" referred to the houses in which the 

 sheep were folded, and "wold" to an open, rolling 



