** JLSTT&R XVI. 



valuable quadrupeds. In some respects, indeed, this 

 inestimable creature may be said to excel .both. If 

 the horse be conducive to our pleasure and conveni- 

 ncy, and to the easy and expeditious performance of 

 the greatest part of our business ; if the cow furnish us 

 with the most nutritive and strengthening part of our 

 food, it is to the sheep that we owe not only a veiy 

 considerable portion of our aliment, but also the most 

 essential part of our clothing. 



The sheep is, in a peculiar manner, the creature of 

 man; to him it entirely owes its protection, and to his 

 necessities it amply contributes. On man, indeed, its 

 existence depends ; for without his fostering care, and 

 the interest he has in its preservation, its numerous 

 enemies would soon exterminate the whole race. 

 Though singularly inofFensive, it does not, however, 

 appear so stupid and inanimate as it is considered to 

 be by Buffon, who describes it as " destitute of every 

 art of self-preservation." On mountains, and in ex- 

 tensive shee v 3-walks, where numerous flocks bro/wzft. 

 together, the sheep assumes a different character, and, 

 a ram, or even sometimes a wedder, or an ewe, has 

 been seen to attack a dog, and to come oil' victorious. 

 Sometimes, in case of attack, they will have recourse 

 *to the collective strength of the whole flock, and 

 drawing up into a compact body, and keeping close 

 together, present towards every quarter a formidable 

 front, which cannot be attacked without danger to the 

 assailant. The sheep undoubted iy discovers less ani- 

 mation and sagacity than many other quadrupeds ; 

 butin the selection of its food, few display a greater 

 share of instinctive discrimination. Its aeutejiess of 

 perception, in regard to the approach of a storm, i* 

 also equal to what is manifested in this respect by al- 

 most any other animal. 



The sheep, in consequence of the warm and oily 

 nature of its fleece, is able to bear the greatest extre- 

 mity of cold ; and whole flocks, in endeavouring to 

 shelter themselves under a high hedge, or the brow of 

 a steep hill, have frequently been buried many clays 

 the snow without any detriment. 



