THE HIGHLAND SHEEP. 677 
answer is, that the fleece is imbued with a peculiar secretion from the skin, which is 
technically called the “ yolk,” and which repels the action of water. Upon the quantity 
of this “yolk,” the quality of the wool greatly depends. 
The custom of annually depriving the Sheep of its wool by means of shears is of very 
ancient origin, and still holds its ground. But within a comparatively recent period, the 
poor creatures were even in this country barbarously stripped of their warm coats by main 
force, the operators grasping large handfuls of the wool and dragging it from the body. 
This operation was called “rowing,” and those who are learned in old English ballad lore 
will remember many passages where reference to this cruel custom may be found. The 
Latin word for wool, “vellus,” is derived from the verb “ vellere,” to pluck out, and 
evidently refers to the same custom. By that cruel mode of action, the Sheep owner 
was generally a bad economist, for the injury to the more delicate animals was so severe 
that their sensitive skins were unable to resist the effects of the weather, and the death 
of the poor creature was often the result. 
The milk of the Sheep is not held in very much estimation, and is in these days 
almost invariably yielded to the lambs. It is, however, of very good flavour, but 
singularly rich, having, indeed, more of the consistency of true cream than the generality 
of the white liquid which passes under that name in the metropolis. 
THE hardy, active, and endurant variety of the domestic Sheep which inhabit the 
Highlands of Scotland, partake in a great degree of the characters of the wild animal, and 
demand a specially trained shepher d to watch over them. 
Pasturing together in enormous herds, and living upon vast ranges of bleak, hilly 
country, the light and active HIGHLAND SHEEP is a very intelligent and independent 
creature, quite ‘distinct in character from the | large, woolly, unintellectual animal that 
lives only in the fold, and is regularly supplied with its food by the careful hand of its 
guardian. It is very sensitive to atmospheric influences, and is so ready in obeying the 
directions of its own instinct, that a good shepherd when he first rises in the morning can 
generally tell where to find his Sheep, merely by noticing the temperature, the direction 
of the wind, and the amount of moisture in the air and on the ground. As the Highland 
Sheep is able to wander to considerable distances from its proper home, the shepherd is 
aided in his laborious task by several of those wonderful dogs whose virtues and powers 
have already been recorded in the course of this work. 
Much of the disposition of the flock depends upon the temperament of the shepherd. 
An irritable or impatient man will speedily render his flock almost as unmanageable as 
his own temper, while he who is gentle and patient, though resolute and firm, will have 
his charge so thoroughly under control, that his very presence will, in many instances, 
cause them to do his bidding, even without calling in the aid of his dogs. One prolific 
source of trouble to the Scotch shepherd is a locomotive propensity which is inherent in 
Sheep, and which prompts them to quit their own ample boundaries and trespass upon 
those of their neighbours. Towards evening, when the flocks are inspected, this propensity 
becomes very annoying, and cannot be restrained by bad managers. Others, who under- 
stand the Sheep nature, and shape their conduct accordingly, will quietly move towards 
the boundary without being followed by the dogs, and by a series of gentle manceuvres 
entice the Sheep in the proper direction. In a very short time the she spherd establishes 
the custom, and whenever he moves towards the boundary, the Sheep instinctively 
recede. 
The life of a Highland shepherd is necessarily one of great hardship, and is generally 
borne with admirable fortitude. In order that the man may feel a personal interest 
in the flock which is placed under his care, he is permitted to hold a property in a 
certain number of Sheep, which he may feed on his master’s ground without payment. 
Sometimes he has the little flock of others to watch over as well as those of his own 
especial charge, so that the neighbours, far and few between as they are, can all have a 
fellow interest in the welfare of the Sheep. Each shepherd is cenerally in possession 
of a little flock consisting of ten to fifty or sixty Sheep, together with pasturage for a 
few cows. 
