MODERN FARRIER. 421 



In the selection of their food, few animals disco- 

 ver greater sagacity than the sheep ; nor does any- 

 domestic animal shew more dexterity and cunning 

 in its attempts to elude the vigilance of the shep- 

 herd, in order to steal such delicacies as are agreeable 

 to its palate. 



Besides its hardiness in enduring great severities 

 of weather, the natural instinct of the sheep, in fore- 

 seeing the approach of a storm, is no less remark- 

 able ; in their endeavours to secure themselves un- 

 der the shelter of some hill, whole flocks have 

 frequently been buried for many days under a co- 

 vering of snow, and have afterwards been taken out 

 without any material injuiy. 



18. On the Teeth and Age. 



Like other ruminating animals, the sheep wants 

 the upper fore teeth ; it has eight in the lower jaw ; 

 two of which drop out, and are replaced at two 

 years old ; four of them are renewed at three years, 

 and the remainder at the age of four. 



The figures in the preceding plate shew the 

 changes which take place in the teeth of sheep du- 

 ring the first eight years ; and by which their ages 

 may be known. 



Fig. 1st, represents the 8 teeth of the fore part of 

 the under jaw, in a sheep one year old. 



Fig. 2d, the teeth of a sheep 2 years old. 



Fig. 3d, 3 years old. 



Fig. 4th, 4 years old. < 



Fig. 5th, 5 years old. 



Fig. 6th, shows the front teeth worn and broken, 

 as is generally the case in the 7th or 8th year. 



19. The Ram. 



It may be observed, that the rams of different 

 breeds of sheep vary greatly in their forms, wools. 



