THE SHEEP. 45 



Shetland sheep. 



ness of their tails. Their bodies are small and 

 handsome, and their wool is very superior to that 

 of any other breed in the kingdom. It is worthy 

 of remark, that these animals are never shorn; 

 but, about the beginning of June, the wool is 

 pulled off without the slightest pain, leaving a 

 kind of long hair, which nature has provided to 

 keep the creature warm and comfortable on this 

 and other occasions. 



In the mountainous parts of Wales, where the 

 sheep enjoy so great a share of liberty as to ren- 

 der them very wild, they do not always collect 

 into large flocks, but frequently graze in parties 

 of from eight to ten or twelve, of which one is 

 stationed at a distance from the rest, to give no- 

 tice of the approach of danger. On observing 

 any one approach, at the distance of two or three 

 hundred yards, the centinel turns his face to the 

 enemy, keeping a vigilant eye upon his motions, 

 and allowing him to advance as near as eighty 

 or a hundred ^ards; but, if the suspected foe at- 

 tempt to come nearer, the watchful guard alarms 

 his comrades by a loud hiss or whistle, which is 

 repeated two or three times. Upon this signal 

 the whole party scour away with inconceivable 

 rapidity, and soon gain the most inaccessible 

 parts of the mountains. 



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