660 VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
of the ground is covered with snow. Though a pure moun- 
tain breed, their habits are not so restless, and they are more 
docile than might be expected, and thrive well in the low- 
land 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 65lb. each. The ewes 
are strong and good mothers and rear their lambs well, even 
under the privations and exposure to which they are them- 
selves 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 feed- 
ing, 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 3lb. ; the practice of smearing, however, is 
very general with this breed, which, consequently, 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 with 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 re- 
sembles that of a barrel, being rounded at all points, thus 
differing materially from the square form of the cultivated 
breeds ; this shape enables them probably the better to with- 
stand 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-wooled sheep, 
and have obtained a breed known locally by the name of 
“Notts” (not horned), which in many respects are con- 
