300 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



SHEEP. 



IT is but little necessary to descant here on the dif- 

 ferent fleeces and various flavours of mutton which the 

 numerous breeds of Sheep afford. The least reflection 

 and observation teach us their unspeakable value as 

 sources of food, clothing, and other purposes ; my task, 

 therefore, lies with their dispositions and comprehen- 

 sions. The last anecdote related shows that they have 

 more patience, but less courage and resource, than the 

 more lively companions with whom they are so fre- 

 quently associated, and whom they so much resemble. 

 In many instances, however, maternal instinct has called 

 forth their powers to a degree which has caused sur- 

 prise ; and they have been known to traverse consider- 

 able distances to seek the assistance of their own kind, 

 or of their shepherd, when their lambs have been in 

 danger. Moreover, a ram is sometimes a formidable 

 enemy, when he thinks any mischief is intended towards 

 the flock of which he is the proud leader. 



Of the attachment of sheep to their native placo, 

 Captain Brown gives a very remarkable instance: 4 A 

 ewe made a journey of nine days' length to return to 

 her native place with her lamb, and was tracked so 

 completely as to make her owners acquainted with her 

 adventures. Nothing turned her back, and whenever 

 her lamb lagged behind, she urged him on with her 

 impatient bleating. When she reached Stirling, it was 

 the day of an annual fair, and she did not venture into 

 the crowd ; she therefore laid herself down by the road- 

 side, with her lamb, outside the town, and the next 

 morning early, stole through the streets, only terrified 



