t 281 ] 



there are many concurring caufes, and the nioft of 

 thefc locaL 



The chief is the peculiar breed of flieep. 



The next, I hunnbly conceive, to be the nature of 

 the pafturej which, by its proximity to the fea, is 

 ftrongly impregnated by fait particles, carried up by 

 the winds; becaufe the grafs on head-lands and 

 banks is foft and clofe, different from the inland 

 or meadow grafs, and the fheep are fond of it; 

 and becaufe it is known that a daily fupply of 

 fait is given to the Spanifh Iheep at the watering- 

 places J and it is thought to contribute to the fine- 

 nefe of the wooK 



Another reafon is, their plucking the wool, or al- 

 lowing it to fall off; — this may be confirmed by 

 obferving that the oldeft ewes have the fineft wool. 



Another great caufe is, their northern fituation i 

 for all animals have more hair than in Scotland, as 

 horfes, cows, &c. Cats, rabbits, and otters, have 

 finer fur. And however ridiculous it may appear, 

 even fwine have hair on certain parts of the body. 



Now, as all this is probable, an experiment fi- 

 milar to that in Scodand might be made, by fixing 



upon 



