RUMINANTIA. 227 



the horns being very large, long and spiral, those of the male 

 upright. of the female, at right angles with the head. 



O. Guineensis. The AFRICAN, or GUINEA SHEEP, found in 

 all the tropical climates of Africa. It is large, with rough, hairy 

 skin, short horns and pendulous ears, a kind of dewlap under the 

 chin, and a long mane reaching below the neck. It is stronger, 

 larger and more fleet than other sheep, and better suited to a 

 forest life ; but the flesh is quite indifferent food. 



SHEEP. 



"What are the distinctive characters of the Sheep ? How does the wool 

 of the healthy sheep appear ? What are the uses of this animal ? With 

 what is it associated ? What Scripture references are given ? What is said 

 of the varieties of the Common Sheep? Which is the most celebrated? 

 What is said of their origin ? Where is their wool brought to the highest 

 perfection ? When was this variety first introduced into the State of New 

 York? How has the quality of the wool been improved? How are the 

 breeds of sheep distinguished, and how designated? What breeds are 

 included in the Short- Wooled division ? What in the Middle- Wooled, and 

 what in the Long- Wooled? In what respect is the fibre of the Long- 

 Wooled Sheep deficient ? For what is the wool much used ? What is said 

 of the Welsh variety? Where is the Argali found? What is said of it? 

 How does the Moufflon differ from the Argali ? In what respects does it 

 resemble it? What is said of the Many-Horned Sheep? Where is the 

 Broad-Tailed Sheep? What is said of its tail? Where is the Cretan 

 Sheep found? What is said of its horns? Where is the Guinea Sheep 

 found, and what is said of it ? 



Trace the varieties mentioned on the chart, tell where they are found, 

 and their peculiarities. 



SECTION XXIX. 



Capridae, (Lat. capra, a goat.) The GOAT FAMILY. 



The distinguishing characteristics of the Goat family are that 

 they have hollow horns turned upwards and ringed ; that they 

 have eight cutting teeth on the lower jaw and none in the upper; 

 and that the male has a beard. The muzzle is comparatively 

 narrow, with no naked space about the nostrils ; the tail is short ; 

 there are no fissures, or tear-pits, beneath the eyes, nor tufts of 

 hair upon the knees. Either " native or naturalized," this ani- 

 mal appears in almost every part of the world. It is capable of 

 enduring all kinds of weather, being found in high northern lati- 

 tudes, and also thriving in the hottest parts of Africa and India. 

 The internal organization of the animal is almost entirely simi- 

 lar to that of the sheep, (Ovida.) "He is, however, stronger, 

 lighter, and more agile, and less timid than the sheep. The sup- 

 pleness of his organs, and the strength and nervousness of his 



