The various Breeds of Sheep in Great Britain. 227 
Romncrj Marsh. — The breed of slieep met with in the Romney 
Marshes lias lon<; been rerorded as peculiar to tlie district, occu- 
pying the same locality, and still to a great extent preserving its 
own particular characteristics amidst the many clianges and 
improvements that have so materially influenced other breeds. 
Attempts have been made at various times to introduce Leicester 
blood into the flocks, but they have not been altogether success- 
ful : the shape and points of the animal have been improved, an 
earlier maturity and aptitude for fattening obtained, while at 
the same time the size of the sheep has been somewhat diminished, 
and the fleece, though improved in staple, has been reduced in 
weight. It has also been found that if the Leicester stain pre- 
dominates, or even exceeds a certain point, the natural hardi- 
hood of constitution is changed, and the sheep become too tender 
for their exposed pastures. The characteristics of the pure breed 
are as follows: — The head and legs are white; the head long 
and broad, with a tuft of wool on forehead ; no horns ; neck long 
and thin ; breast narrow with moderate forequarters ; the body 
long with flattish sides and sharp chine ; loins wide and strong ; 
the belly large ; thighs broad and thick ; and legs and feet large, 
with coarse bone and muscle. Tliey are veiy hardy, and are 
well adapted for the bleak and exposed district of the Romney 
Marshes. They also bear stocking closer than other breeds, as 
it is not unusual to see 6 to 8 fattening sheep placed to the acre. 
The improved breed produces sheep ready for market at from 
2 to 3 years old, weighing from 120 to 140 lbs. The fleece is 
valuable, weighing on the average 8 lbs. Being long in the staple 
with a bright and glossy surface, it is sought after for special 
uses, and is sold largely in the French and other markets on the 
continent. 
Black-faced Scotch. — The origin of this breed is somewhat un- 
certain. By some it is considered to be an indigenous breed, by 
others to have been introduced from England about the middle 
of the last century, when sheep-farming began to occupy the 
attention of the Highland farmers, and gradually to displace the 
herds of cattle that then formed their chief support. The 
characteristics of this picturesque breed readily distinguish it 
from the other breeds. They have horns : those of the male are 
of large size and spirally twisted, with two or more curves ; in 
the female sometimes they are absent. The face is black, rather 
thick at the muzzle, the eye bright and wild, the body somewhat 
short and square, the fore quarter not so low, and the legs not so 
long, as in most mountain sheep. They are muscular and very 
active, of a hardy constitution, and well adapted to endure the 
privations and severe climate of the hilly districts in which they 
are kept. They have also the important property of finding a 
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