MEDIUM-TAILED CONTINENTAL BREEDS 143 



sheep, the tail has the same full development, and 

 the fleece is likewise of the same type, although 

 the coarse, shaggy wool of the body is shorter and 

 thicker. The colour is for the most part uniform 

 dirty white tending to brownish, but the head and 

 legs are not infrequently dark brown or black. 



In habits the rasko closely resembles the zackel 

 sheep, and is kept on moist ground of the same 

 nature ; thriving equally well on low, swampy 

 meadows or in the mountains. The wool is suited 

 only for the manufacture of coarse cloth and rugs ; 

 but the mutton is fat and well-flavoured. Up to 

 about the year 1845 these sheep were brought in 

 large flocks to the Vienna market, but some time 

 after this scarcely one was to be seen. Later, 

 however, the rasko again came into favour, and it 

 is now reared in large numbers in its native 

 country. 



The remarks at the close of the preceding 

 chapter with regard to the probable descent of the 

 British breeds from the mouflon, with perhaps 

 some admixture of urial blood, are equally applic- 

 able to the continental breeds. 



