170 THE ASIATIC BREEDS. 



fat of the tail when run, will never assume the so- 

 lidity or consistency of the tallow of the other parts 

 of the body, arguing from this that there is some- 

 thing different in its secretion. Dr Pallas suggests 

 that it may be the prevalence of wormwood in the 

 Asiatic pasture, which causes fat on the 0. steato- 

 pyga, and the efflorescence from the salt lakes which 

 impregnate the pasture. 



Among the Asiatic breeds, besides the Fat-rumped 

 Sheep, which we have noticed, that of the Broad- 

 tailed extends very widely, to India, China, and 

 Russia. One of the most celebrated, however, is the 

 Astracan breed or Boucharian breed of Pallas, belong- 

 ing also to this. It is remarkable for the fine spirally 

 twisted wool ; and it is from this breed that a great 

 portion of the lamb skins, so much in request by the 

 furriers, is procured. The colour of the wool is ge- 

 nerally a pleasing mixture of black and white ; and 

 Fred. Cuvier remarks, that among the broad-tailed 

 breeds, the wool of the young has a very great ten- 

 dency to be united into two small twisted curls, 

 closely united, but which, soon after birth, are sepa- 

 rated ; on this account, the skins of the lambs which 

 are taken from sheep which have died, are much 

 more valuable, and those of an entirely black tint are 

 most sought after. 



A small flock of this breed was introduced into 

 France in 1821, by the Duke de Richelieu, with the 

 intention of having them extended and brought to 

 propagate in the country, and endeavour to organize 



