114 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 



covers the head. If such differences occurred in the wild 

 state, they would be regarded as separating the two types of 

 animals widely from each other. 



In treating the wool-bearing animals along with beasts of 

 burden, we make a somewhat fanciful classification which yet 

 is not quite without reason. By long training man has 



Egyptian Sheep 



brought these species to the state where their covering of 

 wool or hair, once a coating only sufficient to afford pro- 

 tection from the weather, has become a very serious load. 

 In certain of our highly developed varieties the annual coat 

 is so far increased that the creature loses a large part of its 

 bulk after the shearer has done his work. Each year's fleece 

 often amounts in weight to eight to twelve pounds, and in its 

 lifetime the animal may yield a mass of wool far exceeding its 



