94. From the RYELAND and or HEREFORDSHIRE SHEEP is obtained a peculiarly short, soft, and fine _wool_, which, if the filaments were of equal thickness and quality throughout, would be as valuable as the best wool that we import from Spain. The _mutton_ of these sheep is also fine-grained and of excellent flavour. 95. A breed of sheep, which is well known in Northumberland by the name of CHEVIOT SHEEP, produces very admirable _mutton_ and _wool_ of fine texture. Of the _milk_ of these sheep great quantities of cheese are made, which is sold at a low price. This, when three or four days old, becomes very pungent, and is in considerable esteem for the table. 96. The SHETLAND islands produce a kind of sheep so small as seldom to exceed the weight of thirty or forty pounds. Their _wool_ is sufficiently soft to be adapted even to clothing of the most delicate texture. A pair of stockings that were made of it were so fine as to be sold for six guineas. The _skins_ of these sheep with the fleece on are capable of being converted into a fur of great value; and, when the wool is stripped from them, they are, as leather, peculiarly estimable for aprons, and are purchased by mechanics for this purpose at double the price of other skins of the same size. 97. It is to the breed called DORSETSHIRE SHEEP that the London markets are principally indebted for the _house-lamb_, which, at an early part of the season, bears so high a price. After the lambs are produced they are confined in small dark places, and never see the light, except when brought out to be fed by the ewes; and, at the times when thus brought out, their cabins are cleansed, and littered with fresh straw, as a great part of their value depends upon the cleanliness in which they are kept. 98. The _mutton_ of the HEATH SHEEP, a breed which is found in most of the north-western parts of England, and even as far as the western Highlands of Scotland, is accounted peculiarly excellent; and immense numbers of these sheep are annually sold at the north country fairs. The animals themselves are hardy and active, and well adapted to subsist in healthy and mountainous districts. 99. _MERINO SHEEP are a celebrated Spanish breed of sheep, with small horns, white face and legs, small bones, a loose skin hanging from the neck, the wool fine, the external part of the fleece dark brown in consequence of the dust adhering to it, the interior delicate white, and the skin of rosy hue._