214 On Tunis Sheep, 



on this subject. I am by no means desirous that it 

 should be repressed in its application to the favourite 

 race of sheep, now endeavoured, almost exclusively, to 

 be brought into fashion. I am fuiiy impressed with the 

 value of Merino wool. No other wool, within my know- 

 ledge, can, compete with it. Nor do I mean in any way 

 to lessen the estimation in which the Spanish sheep of 

 this breed, are held. I say of this breed (in which there 

 i;re varieties, some whereof are much inferior to others) 

 because in Spaiii^ there are sheep of as coarse carcase 

 and wool, as any of the worst we have. And it is well 

 known, that the mutton of all breeds there, is so in- 

 diiferent, that the tables of the weakhy are supplied 

 from Barbarij : wool oi valuable breeds, being the pri- 

 mary object, is no doubt the cause of inattention to the 

 other uses of sheep ; added to other circumstances. 



Our country is extensive enough for many different 

 races ; and some, in parts of this, as in all other coun- 

 tries, may thrive where others will not. In South Caro- 

 lina the Tunis sheep, o'otained from my stock, are pre- 

 ferred to all others. In Engiand^ imd other sheep- coun- 

 tries, that some breeds are better adapted to local circum- 

 stances than others, is verified indisputably ; as will be 

 seen in the acccurits of their best writers ; though sheep 

 may be indigenated, w ith proper care, in any country. 

 In Enp-land I have never heard of the Tu?2is mountain 

 sheep. Their writers do not mention it ; though they 

 have broad-tailed sheep ; and I am persuaded this spe- 

 cies is there unknown. I therefore wish that the Tunis- 

 BROAD-TAiLED-MouNTAiN-sHEEr, may have its share 

 of attention; without interfering with the views of those 

 who prefer others. I have mentioned emphatically their 



