360 OF SHEEP IN GENERAL. 



to put under them, in order to prevent them from 

 galling against th ground. One variety, the Fat- 

 rumped Sheep, have two large, fat, and naked 

 hemispherical prominences on their buttocks, and 

 no tail. 



In the British islands we know nothing of the 

 manners and habits of life even of the Common 

 species, in a state of nature. In every part, even 

 of the mountainous wilds, and extensive moors, of 

 Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, the animals are all 

 private property ; and, in their most distant wan- 

 derings, are under the guidance of Shepherds and 

 their Dogs. All kinds of Sheep are partial to dry 

 and open plains, and grassy or heathy hills, in 

 preference either to the shelter of forests, or the 

 towering heights of rocks and precipices. Their 

 favourite food is the short and sweet grasses that 

 grow in these situations, which they crop quite 

 close to the ground. They avoid, as much as 

 possible, morassy places ; and are said to require 

 less water than most other ruminating animals. In 

 agility of body, either in running or leaping, they 

 are greatly inferior to Goats. They differ, like- 

 wise, from these animals in their mode of fight- 

 ing. They do not rise, as the Goats do, on their 

 hind legs, but they run directly against each other, 

 full tilt, with their horns. 



THE 



