226 The various Breech of Sheep in Great Britain. 
Cotnoohls. — The l ange of Oolite hills running from north-east 
to south-west, and occupying the eastern division of Gloucester- 
shire, have given their name to a breed of s'.icep, which probably 
is one of the oldest recorded native breeds of the country, and 
which, owing to recent improvements, is now rapidly increasing 
in public estimation. Mention is made of them in history in 
the early part of the fifteenth century ; and in 1467, according 
to Stow, certain of these sheep were by permission of the King 
Edward IV. exported to S/'aiii. At that period, and for more 
than two centuries afterwards, the range of the Cotswold Hills 
formed broad, uninclosed, and bleak tracts of country, affording 
no natural slielter, but covered with a short sweet herbage. 
The Cotswold sheep of that day, though possessing the type of 
the present breed, were, judging from the country they occu- 
pied, probably very different from them in size and general 
external appearance. This question has been disputed by many 
writers : the result seems to be that there are no physiological 
reasons nor agricultural facts to disturb the pedigree of our 
present breed, or to render its altered and greatly impioved. 
characters inconsistent with the improved state of cultivation of 
the whole Cotswold district. It is one of the largest of our 
native breeds ; the long loose fleece adding to the appearance of 
their large proportions. They are without horns, and have 
white legs and faces, with a strong tuft of wool covering the 
forehead, more prominently in the male than in the female. 
The neck and forequarter are somewhat deficient when compared 
with the Leicester; the back is straight, body well ribbed up, 
with deep flanks, hind quarters square and full ; the legs are 
clean, of moderate length and bone. They are hardy, active, 
and exhibit the appearance of a good working animal, well 
suited for the range of pasturage the district affords. This pas- 
turage, which consists chiefly of sainfoin, is peculiar to the 
country. On this the sheep thrive when not stocked too 
close ; at the same time their early maturity and disposition to 
fatten enable them to be brought to market at 12 to 15 months 
old at an averao-e weight of 100 lbs. ; at 2 years old they will 
weigh from 120 to 150 lbs. each. The meat when young is 
succulent and well flavoured ; at 2 years old it becomes too fat 
and coarse to be generally esteemed. 
The ewes are prolific, good mothers, and the lambs are covered 
with a thick, close fleece. The wool produce is an important 
item in a Cotswold flock. The fleece, which is closer upon the 
body than the Leicester, averages 7 to 8 lbs. each. The staple is 
lonsf, mellow to the hand, though somewhat coarse in quality. 
The practice of breeding rams for sale or for hire is extensively 
carried out with this breed. 
