336 Introduction of the 



loose on their sides. On comparing it with specimens imported 

 by the East India Company, no difference could be perceived by 

 an ordinary judge of common wool, either in the length or 

 fineness of the staple. Those who had charge of these goats 

 unfortunately neglected to remark whether the kid of this breed 

 produced the same wool, for quantity or quality, as the original 

 animals, or in what respect, in both ways, it differed ; a remark 

 which it would have been very important to make, as, although 

 the imported animals should prove incapable of being habit- 

 uated to the climate, it would have been desirable to know 

 whether the progeny was capable of perpetuating the qualities 

 of the original stock. 



With these two trials, the attempts made to introduce the 

 shawl-goat by the Duke of Athol, have for the present ter- 

 minated. But some experience has been gained for future 

 trials ; and some additional knowledge of their habits, recently 

 procured from India, will, with the assistance of that expe- 

 rience, give an additional chance of success to the next ex- 

 periments that may be made on this subject. 



In 1817, a flock was sent to Mr. Dunlop, of Balnakiel, in 

 Sutherland. Some of these died on the passage, but the re- 

 mainder, consisting of a male, three females, and a kid pro- 

 duced on board of the ship, arrived at his farm in good health. 

 In the autumn of that year, I found them thriving and free from 

 diseases, and I was afterwards informed that in the following 

 summer they still continued well. Since that period, I have 

 neither had an opportunity of seeing them, nor of learning 

 what their fate has been. 



This flock was entirely black ; and, in India, it is considered 

 the most valuable variety, as the natural black wool is preferred 

 to that which is dyed, and even to the white. It is of a finer 

 and softer quality, and the shawls manufactured from it fetch 

 a higher price in the market than any others ; partly, it is pro- 

 bable, on account of their comparative scarcity. 



The situation of Balnakiel is in the parish of Diurness, a few 

 miles to the eastward of Cape Wrath, and the climate is pecu- 

 liarly mild and rainy. The pasture is exceedingly rich, on a 



