THE SHEEP. S3 



fourth variety is that of the Guinea sheep, which are ge- 

 nerally found in all the tropical climates, both of Africa 

 and the East Indies : their size is large, with a rough 

 hairy skin, short horns, and ears hanging down with a 

 kind of dewlap under the chin : they differ so essentially 

 in appearance from the rest, that it is to he doubted 

 whether they really were of the same race ; but as a 

 proof that they are of one family, they will associate 

 with every other species of the sheep. 



The moufflon, or musman, though covered with hair, 

 bears a strong similitude to the ram ; like it the eyes 

 are placed near the horns, and its ears are shorter than 

 those of the goat; the horns also grow in the same man- 

 ner, and in form the two animals are very much alike. 

 This creature is so remarkable for its swiftness of flight, 

 that many have believed it to be a species of the deer ; 

 but as it never sheds its horns, that opinion must be er- 

 roneously formed : the moufflon lives in a kind of sa- 

 vage state, and either flies from, or heroically opposes 

 its foes : they frequently grow to a surprising size, and 

 in their convolutions measure above two ells in length ; 

 the general colour of their hair is brown, but their 

 thighs and belly are of a yellowish white; their horns 

 grow to an amazing size, and are used as weapons of 

 attack and defence, for they frequently engage in bat- 

 tles with each other, and seldom seem to live in a very 

 harmonious state. Such was the sheep in its primitive 

 situation, a bold, noble, and beautiful creature ; and 

 though human art may have destroyed the state of na- 

 ture, it doubtless has rendered it more calculated for use. 



THE GOAT, AND ITS NUMEROUS VARIETIES. 



We have seen the services of the ass slighted, be- 

 cause inferior to those of the horse ; and those of the 



