228 Tlie various Breeds of Sheep in Great Britain. 
subsistence upon the heather with which the Highlands generally 
abound, and which affords them food even when the surface of 
the cjround is covered with snow. Though a pure mountain 
breed, tlieir habits are not so resiless, and they are more docile 
than might be expected, and tlnive well in the lowland enclosures 
where the keep is good. Large numbers are annually prepared 
for market in this way. At three or four years old they average 
about 60 to 65 lbs. each. Tlie ewes are strong and good mothers, 
and rear their lambs well, even under the privations and exposure 
to which they are themselves liable at that season. 
Latterly considerable attention has been paid to the breed : 
not only are the points and weight of the animal improved, but 
the fleece, which possessed certain defects, has been improved 
also. The wool, which is loose and shaggy, is lessened in value 
by the " kemps " or hairs which are mixed up in it. These, of 
course, reduce the quality of the fleece, which can be used only 
for the coarsest goods. Good feeding, and a judicious selection 
in breeding from animals the most free from this defect, have 
already effected a marked improvement in this respect. The 
fleece, when washed, averages about 3 lbs. ; the practice of 
smearing, however, is very general with this breed, which, con- 
sequently, increases the weight but decreases the value of the 
clip. 
Many crosses are met with between this breed and others, both 
long and short woolled. That with the long-woolled Leicester 
and witli the short-woolled South Down appear to be the most 
successful. 
Exmoor. — ^This is a pure mountain breed, indigenous to the 
Forest of Exmoor and its immediate vicinity, the hilly districts 
of North Devonshire and West Somersetshire, where it has 
existed from a very early period. These sheep have horns of 
varied growth, according to the richness of the pasture on which 
they feed : the horns of those fed on the richer cultivated lands 
are valuable for ornamental purposes. Their heads and legs are 
white, and covered in a remarkable manner with short, thick-set 
wool. In many cases the head is so completely enveloped, that 
it is with difficulty that the animal can see through it. The 
shape of their body resembles that of a barrel, being rounded at all 
points, tlius differing materially from the square form of the cul- 
tivated breeds ; this shape enables them probably the better to 
withstand the rude climate of their native hills. Such are the 
principal external characteristics of the pure mountain breed. 
In the lowland districts the farmers have been in the habit of 
crossing them with Leicesters and other long-woolled sheep, and 
have obtained a breed known locally by the name of " Notts " 
(not horned), which in many respects are considered more pro- 
