THE ASIATIC AROALI. 137 



The ASIATIC ARGALI is another animal from 

 which some of the eastern races of sheep may have 

 sprung. It is a very large and powerful creature, 

 inhabits the highest mountain- ranges of Asia; Cau- 

 casus, and the plains of Siberia, and the flesh is much 

 esteemed, while in Russia the skins are still used as 

 articles of dress. They are extremely wild and 

 watchful, but, when taken, are easily domesticate^. 

 The males are said sometimes to reach a weight of 

 200 lb., and to stand about three feet high at the 

 shoulder. The horns are of an immense size, weigh- 

 ing 30 lb., and reaching four feet in length. Alto- 

 gether it must be a noble animal, approaching the 

 dimensions of a stag rather than according with our 

 ideas of the bulk of our sheep. The fur is short, 

 fulvous-grey in winter, with a ferruginous, buff-co- 

 loured streak along the back, and a disk of whitish- 

 brown on the buttocks. During summer, the tints 

 of the fur are more rufous. It will stand as the Ovis 

 ammon of our systems. * 



There is also an animal inhabiting the mountains 

 of northern Africa, in a wild state, which may have 

 some claim to assistance in producing our present 

 breeds : it has been considered in the light of a spe- 

 cies, and distinct from any of those we have been 

 noticing. It is 



Major Smith. 



