356 THE COMMON GOAT. 



siderable, and in others much smaller; but it was 

 not wholly wanting in any of the animals that came 

 under his inspection. In order to obtain this wool, 

 the^ractice in Russia is to have the Goats first well 

 washed towards the beginning of summer; and 

 after the fleece is dry, it is combed with a wide- 

 toothed comb, and then with others closer set, 

 which tear out the wool, whilst the long hair re- 

 mains adhering to the skin. Any hairs that may 

 be accidentally blended with it, are picked out, 

 and it is ready for the hands of the manufac- 

 turer. The quantity from a single fleece has not 

 been yet correctly ascertained ; but it is probably 

 so small as not to admit of being separated, with 

 a view to profit, in a country like ours, where 

 manual labour of all kinds is so much higher than 

 it is in most other countries. The fact, however, 

 is incontestibly proved, that a variety of the Goat 

 species does, in Great Britain, actually produce a 

 wool of perhaps finer quality than what is yielded 

 by any Sheep whatever*. 



The long hair of these Goats, and particularly of 

 the males, is used by peruke makers for their best 

 and whitest wigs. The most valuable of the latter 

 kind of hair is that which grows on the haunches of 

 the animals, where it is longer, and more closely 



Anderson's Recreation's in Agriculture, &c. ii. p. 231. 



set, 



