i6o Sheep 



transverse wrinkles on the front and lateral surfaces usually bold and 

 widely separated, but becoming approximated in old animals ; inner front 

 angle always well developed, but the outer one either distinct or com- 

 pletely rounded off. General colour of upper-parts some shade of russet- 

 yellow or foxy-red, with the under-parts and lower portion of the legs 

 white, but lacking most of the black markings of the male European 

 muflon. There is, however, a dark mark on the fore-legs above the 

 knees, a darkish stripe on the chest and Hanks, and more or less indistinct 

 traces of a light saddle-mark in the adult rams. Typically the neck 

 thick, with a fringe of elongated hairs on the throat. Face-glands well 

 developed. 



Distrihiition. — The mountains of Elburz in Northern Persia, of 

 Armenia, the Taurus range of Asia Minor, and the central chain of 

 Cyprus. 



a. Armenian Race — Ovis orientalis typica 



Characters. — Size relatively large, the height at the shoulders reaching 

 to 2 feet 9 inches. Horns of adult rams generally with the front outer 

 angle well marked, so that the front surface is clearlv defined from the outer 

 one. Neck thick and bushy. CJeneral colour of head and upper-parts 

 of adult male russet-yellow or foxy-red ; under-parts and lower portion 

 of legs white; a space before the eyes, nose, chin, and the inner surfaces of 

 the ears whitish ; a dark purple-brown mark above the knees on the fore- 

 legs, and a darkish streak down the chest ; the ridge of the neck and 

 back somewhat darker than the rest of the upper-parts. In older males 

 the general colour reddish, with a whitish saddle-mark. 



Specimens of this sheep are rare in collections, and I have had to 

 depend for the description of the coloration entirely upon the writings 

 of others, as I have never seen a perfect skin. The British Museum 

 possesses the skull and horns of a male, with some portions of the skin, 



