1 



HI8T0RY OF THE SHEEP. 



the mouth, and after undergoing a complete mastication, 

 is returned through the gullet to the third stomach, or 

 smallest compartment, which goes under the name of 

 omasum, or many-plies, from its resembling a rolled 

 up hedgehog, and sometimes from the longitudinal 

 lamince of its mucous membrane that of leaflet. The 

 food remains but a short time in the omasum, proceed- 

 ing into the fourth division, or obomasum, which in its 

 structure, especially in that of the mucous, or inner 

 membrane, is nearly allied to the same organ in the 

 human being, and is, by the French, from its power of 

 coagulating milk, called caillette. The last compart- 

 ment is the largest of the four, so long as the animal 

 continues to live on milk ; but the paunch speedily 

 surpasses it in magnitude when grass becomes the sole 

 provision. The milk always passes at once into the 

 fourth stomach, there being no reason why it should 

 be returned. 



The intestinal canal is long, commencing at the 

 pylorus or lower opening of the stomach, and averag- 

 ing from ninety to one hundred feet. There are but 

 few enlargements in the great intestines. The fat, like 

 that of all ruminating animals, becomes, on cooling, 

 hard and brittle. 



(22.) Period of Conception. — In this climate, ewes 

 fed on good pastures admit the ram in August ; but 

 September or October is the time when such would 

 occur if left to nature. They go with young five 

 months, and in warm climates bring forth thrice a-year; 

 but in Britain, France, and most of Europe, they do so 

 only once. They give milk for seven or eight months ; 

 live ten or twelve years ; and if well managed, are 



