THE AFRICAN BREEDS. 1 63 



" In Ireland, the total number may be estimf <*d at 

 about 2,000,000 ; and on the whole, therefore, 

 32,000,000 may be assumed as the grand tr^al num- 

 ber in Great Britain and Ireland at the present 

 time." 



Of the African breed of sheep, one of the most 

 abundant is the Long-legged Sheep ; according to F. 

 Cuvier, the Ovis Africana and JEthioplca of syste- 

 matists, but evidently only a peculiar form of the 

 animal. It is particularly characterized by the great 

 length of the legs, the pendulous ears, the arch- 

 ed forehead, and the fleece, which is short, curled, 

 and crisp ; upon the neck it assumes the form of a 

 mane, and on the shoulders often spreads out from 

 a centre, like hair on the rump of the camel or dro- 

 needary. Cuvier's figure is represented black and 

 white, and was procured from Faisan. We may 

 here notice, as somewhat allied, a breed from Per- 



