On Tunis Sheep. 229 
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forced in language more generally understood, than that 
of this impenetrably patient old Phrygian. 
Their long and peculiarly daping ears are, to me, the 
only ungraceful parts of these sheep. Most sheep have, 
more or less, the /ap-ear; but I think none others so 
remarkably. I have seen an old conjecture, which I 
believe Mr. Livingston has adopted, ascribing it to 
confidence in their security under the protection of 
man; who guards them, when domesticated, from their 
enemies ; and supersedes the necessity of listening— 
erectis auribus—to impending dangers. Whether there 
be, or not, any thing in the structure of the ear, shew- 
ing that it was originally formed to be erect; I, who 
am not a professed naturalist, but one of the dai-gens, 
will not presume to determine. I am satisfied with 
knowing, that these sheep have /ap-ears and broad. tails : 
and, believing that the Almighty had so formed them, 
in the original creation of the stock, I am content. 
That their pendulous ears are owing to an acquired 
habit of security and confidence; or of settled compli- 
ment and submission; produced by a similar temper 
(to compare small things with great) with that which 
induces the dousing of pendants, or dropping of peeks, 
to friends or superiors at sea,—as if reason and instinct 
evidenced like propensities,—I am not prepared pe- 
remptorily to decide : though some naturalists seem to 
have no difficulties on such subjects. I am less puzzled 
when I believe, that their creator, for wise purposes, so 
fashioned them. 
No animal is more timid than the sheep; and none 
have more frequent occasions to be so. Dogs are their 
eternal foes ; and dogs (lap-eared dogs among the worst) 
