Mr. Blyth on the Genus Ovis. 253 



mal, would make an important distinction, as the smaller specimen 

 would undoubtedly have developed a third true molar, and possesses 

 three false ones ; whereas it is in one of the latter that the Chirew 

 is deficient. I am inclined, however, to regard the two specimens 

 as belonging to the same species, since I have observed analogous 

 differences in the mere flexure of the horn in different Corsican 

 Moufflons ; but it was at all events proper to indicate the dispa- 

 rity. 



" Vast numbers of this species/* relates Mr. Vigne, " are driven 

 down by the snow in winter to the branches of the Indus, near 

 Astor, at the southern extremity of Little Thibet, where the river 

 breaks through the chain of the Himalaya. I once saw a young 

 one, apparently of this species, in Persia, but took no memorandum 

 of it at the time ; it was dirty and draggled, but, I think, was covered 

 with short wool." I have great pleasure in dedicating this species 

 to that gentleman*. 



11. O. Musimon, Linnaeus : the Moufflon Sheep of Corsica and 

 Sardinia, but not, there is reason to suspect, of the Levantine coun- 

 tries. It is unnecessary to give a detailed description of this beau- 

 tiful little species, though I may mention that the fine living male 

 in the Gardens measures 39 inches from nose to tail, the tail 5 

 inches ; from nose to base of horn 7 inches ; ears 4 inches ; neck, 

 from posterior base of horn to the abrupt angle of its insertion, 8 

 inches, and thence to base of tail 21 inches ; height at the shoulder 

 2|^ feet. The horns of this individual are remarkable for not spiring 

 in the least degree, whence they point towards the back of the neck : 

 they measure 21 inches over their curvature, and 8^ inches round at 

 base, being in their fifth year of growth ; their widest portion apart 



* The Wild Sheep of the Parapomisan range, or Hindu Koosh mountains, 

 described in ' Journ. As. Soc. Beng.' for 1840, p. 440, has been identified 

 by Mr. Vigne as, " without doubt," the same as the above O, Vignei, not- 

 withstanding certain apparent discrepancies. " Adult male 3 feet 4 inches 

 at shoulder, and 5 feet 4 inches from nose to base of tail. Girth of body, 

 measured behind shoulder, 4 feet : head 1 foot : horns 2| feet round the cur- 

 vature, and 12 inches in circumference at base, turning spirally backwards 

 and downwards, with the points inclining forwards. A large beard from 

 the cheeks and under-jaw, divided into two lobes. Neck ponderous, 14 inches 

 long and 24 inches in circumference : it has no mane above. General co- 

 lour pale rufous, inclining to gray, and fading off to white beneath. Muzzle 

 white ; beard on either lobe white, connected to a streak of long black flow- 

 ing hair, reaching to the chest. Legs covered with white short hair ; belly 

 white ; tail small, short, and together with the buttocks white. The female 

 is inferior in size, and not so much of a rufous colour, with small horns, in- 

 clining backwards and outwards, about 6 inches in length. The lambs, 

 which are produced in May and June, are the colour of the female, but have 

 a dark stripe down the back, and in front of the fore-legs." •' I have now," 

 writes Capt. Hay, " three lambs of this species in my room, perfectly domes- 

 ticated ; but such places as they attempt to climb, show the nature of the 

 mountains they inhabit. What think you of a couple of them setting to work 

 to cHmb my chimney, nearly perpendicular, but with projecting bricks here 

 and there ?" It is noticed that this animal has the usual number of molars, 

 six on each side of both jaws ; and I understand that there is a stuffed spe- 

 cimen in the Paris Museum. — E. B. 



