346 MORBID APPETITE IN SHEEP. 



formation ; but I cannot consider this as satis- 

 factorily proved. Although it has prevailed, 

 for the most part, in places at which the 

 limestone has formed the principal geological 

 character, yet there are other parts of the 

 country, where sheep have manifested a similar 

 morbid appetite, when no limestone has existed. 

 An ewe being missing about some limestone 

 ranges, was seen coming out of a small cavern, 

 in which she seemed to have found some of the 

 saline earth, as she had a quantity of earth about 

 the mouth ; and the place was afterwards much 

 frequented by other ewes, until they were re- 

 moved from the spot. 



The sufferers in the loss of lambs and ewes 

 from this morbid appetite of the latter, are prin- 

 cipally Messrs. Button, O'Brien, Warby, Hume, 

 Manton, &c., all having sheep-runs about the 

 Murrumbidgee country. 



Mr. Button addressed a letter to the govern- 

 ment on the subject, with the intention of getting 

 his grant of land, if possible, changed to some 

 other part of the country. The following is an 

 extract from his letter, which clearly points 

 out the destructive effects produced among the 

 flocks, the most valuable stock of the settler in 

 this colony, and on which his prosperity greatly 

 depends. 



