26 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



amongst the wool, by which means the young wool 

 is sheltered, and the animal kept warm and com- 

 fortable.* 



The people of these isles have attempted to in- 

 troduce a larger breed of sheep from Britain, but 

 the inclemency of the climate rendered their la- 

 bours abortive. This verifies what the famous 

 Scottish historian says of these Isles : 



i( Adeo jera, ut nullum animal nisi illic na~ 

 tumferatr Buch. lib. 1. § 50. 



Here are neither hares nor foxes, though rabbits 

 are plenty ; the skins of which are sold at about 

 half-a-guinea per dozen. The flesh of these is no- 

 thing inferior to those of Britain, though they are 

 somewhat less in size. 



The other wild quadrupeds which have reached 

 these islands, are the otter, brown rat, common 

 mouse, fetid shrew, and bat. 



* Shetland sheep seem to be peculiarly calculated for an insular 

 situation, hence they are distinguished by Sir John Sinclair by 

 the name of " Island sheep." 



" It has been lately discovered that the skin of this breed, with 

 the fleece on, may be prepared so as to make a beautiful fur ; and 

 their excellent quality may probably make them fit to be convert- 

 ed into morocco leather, the raw material of which cannot easily 

 be procured in sufficient quantities." Vid. Report of the Society 

 for Improvement of British Wool. 



