451 



On a new Variety in the Breeds of Sheep. By Colonel David Hum- 

 phreys, F.R.S. In a Letter to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, 

 Bart. K.B. P.R.S. Read January 14, 1813. [Phil. Trans. 1813, 

 p. 88.] 



The breed here described by Col. Humphreys, first occurred as an 

 accidental variety in the State of Massachusetts, about sixteen miles 

 distant from Boston, in the year 1791 ; a lamb was produced, having 

 a singular appearance, from the shortness of its legs ; and by some 

 chance rather than by any particular design, was reserved for breed- 

 ing. In the first season only two lambs were yeaned, resembling the 

 father ; but in subsequent years several more were produced, having 

 the same peculiarities ; and a breed was thence established, which, 

 from the shortness of their legs, and comparative length of back, were 

 at first called the Otter breed ; but from a surgeon who afterwards 

 dissected one of them, they were called Ancon, from the elbow-Eke 

 crookedness of the fore-leg. 



Experiments in crossing have in very few instances mixed the qua- 

 lities of this breed with those of others ; but the singularity of form 

 is so far established, that when both parents are of the true otter or 

 ancon breed, the descendants inherit, almost without exception, their 

 peculiar appearance and properties of form. 



When an ancon ewe is impregnated by a common ram, the pro- 

 geny resembles wholly either the ewe or the ram ; and the same is 

 the consequence of breeding from the common ewe with an ancon 

 ram. 



The most obvious difference, between the young of this and of 

 other breeds, consists in the shortness and crookedness of their legs, 

 by which, as well as by some general debility of constitution, they 

 become cripples as they advance in age. The contrast is very stri- 

 king when a common ewe has twins by an ancon ram, when it some- 

 times occurs that one is ancon and the other common ; so that one 

 short-legged and one long-legged lamb are seen sucking the same 

 dam at the same time. 



In the fleece of the true ancon there seems to be nothing decisively 

 different from common ; but in the ancon-merino, by which is meant 

 the offspring of the merino ram from the ancon ewe, though the 

 shape of the progeny be exactly that of the ewe, its fleece partakes 

 strongly of the silky feel of the merino wool. 



When ancons are put into the same inclosure with other sheep, 

 they are observed to keep together, separate from the rest of the 

 flock. 



Although they arrive at maturity somewhat later, they are said to 

 live as long as other sheep ; but in consequence of their deformity 

 they can neither run nor jump, and move with a very awkward gait, 

 having their fore -legs always crooked, and their feet turned inwards. 



The principal reason for propagating a breed with such appearance 

 of imperfection, has been the advantage that arises from their inca- 

 pacity to leap over fences. In that part of the United States where 

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