178 THF FAUNA OF WOOL, NEAR WARKHAM. 



" lietli a large flatte of barren lieathie ground, (yet well replenished with Red 

 Deere,) severed from the rest with almost a continual ridge of very high 

 hills." 



Fallow Deer. {Gervus dama.) In Charborough and other parks. 



Porpoise. (Phoccena communis.) Living at some little distance from any 

 seaport, I have not been able to obtain any information on which I could 

 rely respecting the Cetacea ; but the Porpoise is frequently sporting about 

 on the coast, in large shoals. The flesh is seldom eaten in this neighbour- 

 hood, but is occasionally seen in the markets of Jersey and Guernsey ; and in 

 appearance, as I am also informed it is in taste, not unlike a loin of pork. 

 But in the Channel Islands, the fishei'men object to their being caught, or 

 disturbed, as they drive the Sand Eels {Ammochjtes Lancea) to the surface, 

 which they collect in large canvas nets, or bags, and use for a bait for 

 Congers, Cod, et hoc genus omne. 



Dolphin, (Delphinus delphis,) has been taken on the coast, so I have heard 

 it reported, but can give no particulars. 



The Sheep. {Ovis aries.) Neither this, nor the horse, or dog, are to be 

 considered as Ferce Naturce ; but as there appear to be two breeds peculiar to 

 this neighbourhood, I do not like closing this imperfect account of our 

 Mammalia witliout noticing them. The Dorset, or as they are also called, 

 horn and white faced sheep, are a large, hardy, horned sheep, which thrive 

 upon the marine downs, and have the advantage of dropping their lambs 

 from two to three months eai'lier than other breeds, so that they are in great 

 request in many places as house lambs ; their wool is long and coarse, and 

 they are invariably allowed the primitive fashion of wearing their tails. Their 

 fleece is not generally so heavy as that of Southdowns. The next variety is 

 peculiar to the island of Portland; they are a very small race of sheep, 

 weighing from thirty to forty pounds. The flesh of these animals is very 

 highly esteemed, and commands a high price in Weymouth market ; but if 

 removed into a richer district, they are said to grow much lai'ger, and to lose 

 much of the peculiar flavour which renders them so acceptable to the epicu- 

 rean palate. 



The Horse. {Equus cahallus.) Before agriculture had made such strides, 

 and when our downs and heaths were unenclosed and uncultivated, (at least 

 to a much greater extent than at present,) vast numbers of a small, but 

 strong, useful, forest poney, were bred in the neighbourhood ; but for the 

 general purposes of the farmer a larger race are now used, and those of 

 Shetland are more fashionable, so that now but few are seen. 



I have now finished, and trust 1 have not quite worn out all your patience; 

 and hope that this slight sketch may produce more from this and other 

 neighbourhoods. 



