SIJEK!. 85 



The varieties, observable in this quadruped, are so 

 multiplied, that no two countries, nor scarcely any 

 two districts, produce sheep exactly of the same 

 kind. A visible difference is found between all the 

 different breeds, either in the size, the shape, the 

 fleece, or the horns. The woolly sheep is an inhabi- 

 tant only of Europe, and the temperate regions of 

 Asia; if it be transported into a hotter country, it not 

 :only. becomes less prolific, but its flesh loses its fla- 

 your, and what is still more 'remarkable, its wool 

 changes into a long rough kind of hair, which, by its 

 openness, and coolness, is a covering far better suited 

 to a warm climate, than the close and woolly fleece 

 with which it is clothed in these parts "of the 

 world ; a circumstance which exhibits a remarkable 

 instance of the wisdom and goodness of Divine 

 Providence, in providing for the well-being of all 

 creatures. 



The sheep in the mountainous parts of Walea> 

 where they are rendered wild by the unrestrained 

 liberty which they enjoy, do riot always go in large 

 flocks, but sometimes graze in parties of about eight 

 or twelve, one of which remains at some distance 

 from the rest, to .give notice should any danger ap- 

 proach. When the centinel sees any one advancing, 

 at the distance of two or three humlrt^j yards, iie 

 turns his face to the enemy, keeping a watchful eye 

 pon his motions, allowing him, usually, to approach 

 within eighty or a hundred yards ; but if the sus- 

 pected foe proceeds to come nearer, the watchful 

 guard alarms his comrades by a loud hiss, or whis- 

 tle, twice or thrice, repeated, whenVne whole party 

 instantly make oil' with great agility,, always fly- 

 ing to the steepest and most inaccessible parts of the 

 liiounfcain. 



It is very singular, that in the Holms round Kirk- 

 wall, in the island of Mainland, one of the Orkneys, 

 if any person, about the lambing time, enters with a 

 tiojr, or even without, the ewes suddenly take fright, 

 *nu through feur, as it is imagined, instantly drop 



