96 



EUROPEAN SHEEP. 



Denmark now exports nearly a million of pounds of wool, 

 one half of wliich is represented to be of the finest quality 

 of Merino. 



ICELAND SHEEP. 



ICELAND SHEEP. 



The sheep of Iceland are of two kinds : the first, termed 

 the native breed, is small, in color from dun to almost 

 black ; the second is larger, the fleece white, and supposed 

 to have originated from more southern regions. The fleece 

 of these breeds consists of hair externally, with a thick, close 

 layer of wool within, impervious to cold and wet ; it is 

 worthless for manufacturing, and is used for horse collars, 

 and more or less is exported and appropriated to this pur- 

 pose. 



The principal peculiarity about the native sheep is the 

 number of their horns, many individuals having four and 

 five, and instances have been known of eight. These hardy 

 animals propagate without the care of man, and seek refuge 



