THE HORXED ANIMALS— SHEEP. 



4.") 9 



more species peculiar to it, while Europe, Africa 

 and America appear poorly endowed, and so far as 

 is now known possess only one indigenous species 

 apiece. Several species are very closely allied to 

 each other and are dependent for their distinctive 

 features mainly on the difference of the horns, the 

 shape, size and twist of which are considered deci- 

 sive. One variety has the right horn twisted to the 

 left from its base to its extremity, while the left 

 horn is twisted to the right; the extremities diverge 

 in an outward direction; in the others the twist of 

 the right horn is a right curve, of the left horn a left 

 curve; then the extremities point backward and the 

 horns recall to the mind of the observer those of the 

 Goats. 



All wild Sheep are natives of the mountains; and 

 seem to thrive only at a considerable altitude. For 

 the greater part they ascend beyond the line of 



mountain vegetation, in winter of muss, lichens and 

 dry grass. Sheep are fastidious when they have a 

 choice of food, and frugal to a marked degree when 

 but little is offered them. Dry grass, shoots, bark 

 of trees and similar tilings constitute their only fare 

 in winter, without their showing any signs of detri- 

 ment from insufficient nourishment. 



The Sheep De- More than other domestic ani- 

 teriorated by Do- mals, perhaps with the sole excep- 

 mestication. t j on f t ] le Reindeer, do the Sheep 

 show the degenerating effects of slavery. The tame 

 Sheep is a mere shadow of the wild one. The Goat 

 retains its independent spirit to a certain degree in 

 captivity as well as in freedom, but the Sheep be- 

 comes a weak slave in the service of Man. No other 

 animal suffers itself to be more easily restrained and 

 mastered than a tame Sheep ; it seems to be glad 

 when another creature relieves it of the burden ot 



THE AOUDAD. — In the great moi 

 Goats. It ascends to lofty elevations and ; 



breast arc distinctive features of tins animal 



ranges of north Africa is 

 uids Manas much as possible. 

 {Ovii tragetaphus.) 



ved horns, and the mane-like growth of the hair mi the 



perpetual snow, some of them going as high as 

 from twenty thousand to twenty-three thousand feet 

 above sea level, where no other creatures can live 

 except Goats, the Musk Ox and a few birds. Only 

 tame Sheep inhabit the plains, and those that are 

 bred in mountainous regions show clearly enough 

 how much they enjoy existence in a locality which 

 assimilates their natural requirements. Abundant 

 pasturages or light forests, rocky, precipitous mount- 

 ain slopes, which bear but here and there a small 

 sprouting plant, form the haunts of the wild Sheep. 

 According to the season they wander from the higher 

 regions downward or vice versa: summer invites 

 them to go higher, winter drives them into more 

 hospitable regions, for it clears away their table in 

 the heights, and they must seek food elsewhere. In 

 summer their food consists of fresh and succulent 



caring for its own welfare. It ought not to surprise 

 us that such creatures are good-natured, gentle, 

 peaceable, inoffensive; their mental qualities have 

 their origin in stupidity and dullness, and a lamb 

 is for this very reason not a very happily selected 

 prototype of innocent, virtuous people. In south- 

 ern countries, where the Sheep are left more to their 

 own devices than they are in more northerly regions, 

 their mental qualities are better developed and they 

 appear more independent, bold and courageous. 



The multiplication of the Sheep is rapid. The 

 ewe gives birth to one or two and more rarely three 

 or four young in a season, which are able to walk 

 and follow their mother about soon after birth. The 

 wild ewes defend their young at the peril of their 

 own lives and evince for them an extraordinary 

 affection. 



