I04 THE SHEEP AND ITS COUSINS 



Southdowns, which, for a short-woolled type, are 

 almost exactly what sheep ought to be. The credit 

 for the production of the modern breed is due in 

 the first place mainly to John Ellman of Glynde, 

 near Lewes, who commenced his breeding experi- 

 ments about 1775, and continued them for half a 

 century; and, secondly, to Jonas Webb of Babraham, 

 Cambridgeshire, who commenced breeding these 

 sheep about the year 182 1, and, after buying the 

 best stock obtainable, eventually succeeded in pro- 

 ducing a strain somewhat superior in size to that 

 established by Ellman. 



The modern Southdown (pi. vi. fig. i), which 

 is destitute of horns in both sexes, is specially 

 characterised by the dusky grey colour of the face 

 and legs, and the extension of the wool on to 

 the forehead, where it forms a tuft, as well as by 

 the short, curly fleece. Compared with the old 

 Sussex breed, it is not only a bigger sheep, but it 

 has acquired heavier fore-quarters, a wider chest, 

 broader back and loins, greater curvature of the 

 ribs, allowing more space for the respiratory and 

 alimentary organs, shorter neck and legs, and a 

 more compact and symmetrical body. The arched 

 form of the neck distinctive of the original breed 

 has, however, been retained. Although the smallest 

 of what are called the middle- wool type of sheep, 

 the Southdown, in consequence of its compact body 

 and the comparative shortness of its limbs, weighs 



