38 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
THE LONK. 
To the Lonk belongs the distinction that its ancestors can not be 
traced from time immemorial. Youatt, Lowe, and the other old 
writers failed to mention it. Some claim to see in the Penistone 
sheep mentioned by Youatt the present Lonk breed, and indeed 
there seems to be some relationship, as the present Penistone breed 
has characteristics similar to those of the Lonk. 
About 50 years ago "The Druid," a famous writer upon live-stock 
subjects in Great Britain, wrote an account of this breed, which 
seems to be the oldest in existence. 
The name Lonk is said to be derived from the coarse herbage 
growing upon the moorlands of North Lancashire, West Hiding, of 
Yorkshire, and part of Derbyshire, of which places this breed is 
native. It is also claimed that the term is a corruption of Lanca- 
shire. The district about Clitheroe and Skipton is one of the breed's 
special strongholds. 
The Lonk is a large mountain breed, somewhat resembling the 
Black-faced Highland. It is heavier, longer, more upstanding, and 
has a larger head. The fleece is shorter, denser, finer, and somewhat 
heavier than that of the Black-face. 
The face and legs are black and white, the spots being very dis- 
tinct. Brown is objectionable. There should be no wool upon the 
face and legs, but a small tuft upon the forehead and a fringe upon 
the hind legs. However, the wool comes up close behind the horns, 
which are to be found in both sexes. Fleeces are reported from A\ 
to 11 pounds in weight. The wool grades quarter and low quarter 
blood combing in America. 
This breed is said to be not as hardy as the Black-face, and when 
used in crossing upon the latter decreased constitution resulted. 
Wm. Cooper & Nephews imported in 1908, for the Bitter Root 
Ranch, at Hamilton, Mont., 50 ewes and 5 rams of this breed. In 
1911 three more rams were imported for the same company. These 
sheep are said to have done fairly well, but they are unsuited to 
range conditions, as it is impossible to herd them. The above- 
mentioned company disposed of their stock for this reason. 
The Lonk Sheep Breeders' Association and Flock Book Society 
of England issued the first volume of their flock book in 1905. They 
claim for the breed that it is especially adapted to mountainous 
districts. There is no American association. 
THE SHETLAND. 
This breed, if it may be called one, comes from the Shetland 
Islands, which are located northeast of Scotland. It is said that the 
pure Shetland exists only upon the islands of Foula and Papa Stour. 
They are a very small breed, weighing from 30 to 40 pounds when 
