CHAPTER XIV 

 THE BREEDS OF SHEEP 



Classification of the Breeds of Sheep 



Mutton 



270. The Southdown. — This is the oldest, purest 

 and smallest of the Down breeds and has the distinction 

 of representing the ideal of mutton form and quality 

 (Fig. 123). It is one of the smallest breeds, rams weighing 

 175 pounds and ewes 135 pounds. The form is the lowest 

 down, most compact, broadest, deepest and most thickly 

 fleshed of any sheep. All the features of block type and 

 conformation, i.e. the short, broad head, short, full neck, 

 blending with broad, but compact and smooth shoulders, 

 broad, thickly covered back and loin, and a wide, full, and 

 deep leg of mutton, are especially well marked in the South- 

 down. The head is extraordinarily short, wide between 

 the eyes, and rather fine, the ears short, small, pointed, 



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