GENTS OVIS. 131 



lity decidedly characterizing it, its tendency to Felt, 

 produced by its structure, the edges appearing ser- 

 rated, and the surface imbricated, when viewed under 



a strong magnifying power, while hair is always cy- 

 lindrical. An examination of the minute structure 

 of the coverings of animals is yet much to be de- 

 sired, and it will without doubt throw much addi- 

 tional light upon their properties. 



Although attempts have been made to trace the 

 stock of our breeds and varieties, it is a subject which 

 has never been done to the satisfaction of the writers 

 themselves, and one on which it will perhaps be 

 impossible to come to an accurate decision. The 

 Musmon of Corsica, and the Asiatic Argali, al- 

 though there are some discrepancies between the 

 skeletons of these animals and the domestic races, 

 have generally been considered as the most probable 

 origin, the appearance being also nearest to that of 

 some of the breeds ; and as wft pursued the same plan 

 when speaking of the goats, we shall notice the*e 

 animals, and one or two of the others, before men- 

 tioning some of the principal and best breeds, or more 

 singular varieties. And first, 



