5 o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



many of our readers, as they convey a juft idea of fome 

 of the mod noted kinds of Sheep at this time in the 

 ifland. — He begins with thofe of Lincolnfhire, which are 

 of a large fize, big-boned, and afford a greater quantity of 

 wool than any other kind, owing to the rich, fat marfhes 

 on which they feed but their flefh is coarfe, leaner, and 

 not fo finely flavoured as that of fmaller Sheep. The 

 fame breed extends, with fome variations, through mod 

 of the midland counties of England. — But the largefl 

 breed of Sheep, in this ifland, is to be met with on the 

 banks of the Tees, which runs through a rich and fertile 

 country, dividing the two counties of Yorkfhire and Dur- 

 ham. This kind differs from the preceding, in their 

 wool not being fo long and heavy ; their legs are longer, 

 but finer boned, and fupport a thicker, firmer carcafe ; 

 their flefh is like wife much fatter, and finer grained. 

 Thefe Sheep weigh from twenty-five to forty- five pounds 

 per quarter j fome have been fed to fifty pounds ; and 

 one in particular was killed, which weighed fixty-two 

 pounds ten ounces per quarter, avoirdupois — a circum- 

 ftance never before heard of in this ifland. The Ewes of 

 this breed generally bring forth two lambs each feafon ; 

 fometimes three, four, and even five. As an inftance of 

 extraordinary fecundity, it deferves to be mentioned, that 

 one of thefe Ewes, at the age of two years, brought forth 

 four lambs at one time; the next feafon five, — both 

 within eleven months. — The Dorfetfhire breed is likewife 

 remarkably prolific, the Ewes being capable, of bringing 

 forth twice a year. It is from thefe, that the tables of 

 our nobility and gentry are fupplied with early lamb at 

 Chriftmas, or fooner if required. Great numbers of 

 thofe early victims to luxury are yearly fent to the Lon- 

 don markets, where they are fold at the enormous price 



