12 The Shepherds' Guide. 



of that period with lamb : and that in the year 

 1800, 8 ewes yielded fleeces of two years' growth, 

 weighing from 16 to 20 lbs. each, of double the 

 length of staple, and of equnl fineness with those 

 shorn annually. We are not informed that any 

 particular advantage has been derived from this 

 singular property ; but it is very probable that it 

 -will not be long before some new and beautiful 

 fabric will originate from it. The fibres of the 

 wool are remarkably waved, or curled, approach- 

 ing in some measure to the form of a cork-screw, 

 so that when drawn out, they will stretch to near 

 double the length that the wool stands on the 

 sheep's back. This circumstance occasions the pile 

 to stand erect and perpendicular to the part of the 

 skin to which it is attached ; and with the crust 

 of dirt and yolk, gives a peculiar firmness to the 

 feel, resisting the pressure of the hand like a soft 

 brush, which is considered a proof of the greater 

 closeness and fineness of the fleece. On opening 

 the fleece, the wool beneath appears very thick, 

 greasy, and tinged of a brilliant yellowish hue, by 

 the yolk, but when this is washed out it leaves the 

 Avool of a beautiful xvhiteness. The skin beneath 

 is of a fine rosy colour, and remarkably soft and 

 loose, which condition of the skin strongly indi- 

 cates good health, and is always connected with 

 another excellence of this sheep, a disposition to 

 fatten at an early age. On this point all wri- 

 ters agree. Lord Somerville assures us that he 



