174 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



any of the existing wild forms, or from the cross- 

 ing of some of these, or from some now extinct 

 species. 



(1) It was a domestic animal in Asia and Europe before 

 the dawn of history, but was unknown as such in America 

 until after the Spanish conquest. 



(2) It is now to be found wherever there is a settled 

 agriculture, but 



(3) Is much better adapted to the temperate than to the 

 torrid zone, unless when reared on mountain ranges. 



V. The variations of external character in 

 sheep include the following : 



(1) The number of the horns, which, in many species, 

 are entirely wanting, while others have no fewer than eight. 



(2) The arching of the nasal bones. 



(3) The form and length of the ears. 



(4) The length of the tail. 



(5) The development of fat at each side of its root, and 

 within the tail. 



(6) The color markings of the face and legs, and 



(7) The color, length and quality of the wool. 



VI. Sheep are apparently not indigenous to 

 the British islands, as 



(1) No fossil remains have been found in the as yet 

 explored true Tertiary beds, hence 



(2) It is probable they were brought from the east in 

 pre-historic times. 



VII. The breeds of sheep now most in favor 

 in Great Britain show great diversity in size, form 

 and general characteristics, owing 



(i) To a difference in origin. 

 - (2) To a difference in climate and food, and 



(3) To the nature of the breeding and variations in arti- 

 ficial treatment. 



VIII. Although domesticated sheep as they 

 existed in Europe were not found in America at the 

 time of its discovery, yet 



(i) In South America four forms of the genus Auchenia 

 were found, viz., the Guanaco and Vicuna, and the Llama 

 and Alpaca. 



