"VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. G59 
influenced other breeds. Attempts have been made at various 
times to introduce Leicester blood into the flocks, but they 
have not been altogether successful : 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 
w 7 eight. It has also been found that if the Leicester stain 
predominate, or even exceed a certain point, the natural 
hardihood 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 wdiite ; 
the head long and broad, with a tuft of wool on the forehead ; 
no horns ; neck long and thin ; breast narrow’ with mode- 
rate forequarters ; the body long w ith flattish sides and sharp 
chine ; loins w T ide and strong ; the belly large ; thighs broad 
and thick ; and legs and feet large, w 7 ith coarse bone and 
mitscle. They are very 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 six to eight fattening sheep placed to the 
acre. The improved breed produces sheep ready for market 
at from 2 to 3 years old, w eighing from 120 to 1401b. The 
fleece is valuable, w eighing on the average 8lb. Being long 
in the staple, w 7 ith 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 
uncertain. 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, w 7 hen 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 
tw 7 isted, w 7 ith tw 7 o 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 w r ell adapted to endure the priva- 
tions and severe climate of the hilly districts in w 7 hich they are 
kept. They have also the important property of finding a sub- 
sistence upon the heather w 7 ith w hich the Highlands generally 
abound, and w 7 hich affords them food even when the surface 
