THF IMPROVED ARI OF FARRIERY 38 



A TREATISE ON SHEEP. 



Regarded with respect to its wants, its disposition, 

 and utility, the sheep is, in a peculiar manner, the 

 creature of man. Without his fostering care and pro- 

 tection its race would soon be exterminated ; but his 

 kindnesses are repaid by an ample contribution to his 

 necessities and comforts. It is to the sheep that we 

 are indebted for a considerable portion of our aliment 

 and for the most essential part of our clothing. 



This animal is singularly inoffensive, and discovers 

 less animation and sagacity than many other quad- 

 rupeds ; but the Compte de Buffon has been guilty 

 of injustice in describing it as destitute of the necessary 

 art of self-preservation, without courage, and even de- 

 prived of every instinctive faculty. On extensive 

 mountains, where numerous flocks range at liberty, 

 and, generally speaking, independent of the shepherd's 

 aid, they exhibit a very different character, and a ram 

 or wether has been frequently seen to attack a dog, 

 and come off victorious ; when the danger is more 

 pressmg, they have recourse to the collective strength 



