588 VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
pedigree of our present breeds or to render its altered and 
greatly improved 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, with mode- 
rate length of bone. They are hardy and active, exhibiting 
the appearance of good working animals, well suited for the 
range of pasturage the district affords. This pasturage, which 
consists chiefly of sainfoin, is peculiar to the country. On 
this the sheep thrive w 7 hen 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 
average weight of 1001b. ; at 2 years old they will w T eigh 
from 120 to 150lb. each. The meat when young is succu- 
lent and w r ell 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 81b. 
each. The staple is long, mellow to the hand, though some- 
what coarse in quality. 
The practice of breeding rams for sale or for hire is 
extensively carried out with this breed. 
[To be continued .) 
ERGOT OF WHEAT. 
By Dr. Grandclement. 
Ergot of rye has long been considered as a very valuable 
remedy, whether used as a hemostatic, or as favouring the 
contractions of the uterus ; ergot of wheat is now proposed 
as its rival, and in consequence of the ease with which it may 
be preserved, appears likely to replace it in therapeutics. 
Dr. Grandclement, who is well known from his labours in 
natural history, has, in his inaugural thesis, called the attcn- 
