On Tunis Sheep, 229 



forced in language more generally understood, than that 

 of this impenetrably patient old Phrijgian, 



Their long and peculiarly laping ears are, to me, the 

 only ungraceful parts of these sheep. Most sheep have, 

 more or less, the lap - ear ; but I think none others so 

 remarkably. I have seen an old conjecture, which I 

 believe Mr. Livingston has adopted, ascribing it to 

 confidence in their security under the protection of 

 man ; who guards them, when domesticated, from their 

 enemies ; and supersedes the necessity of listening — 

 erectis auribus — to impending dangers. Whether there 

 be, or not, any thing in the structure of the ear, shew- 

 mg that it was originally formed to be erect ; I, who 

 am not a professed naturalist, but one of the lai-gens, 

 will not presume to determine. I am satisfied with 

 knowing, that these sheep have lap -ears and broad tails : 

 and, believing that the Almighty had so formed them, 

 in the original creation of the stock, I am content. 

 That their pendulous ears are owing to an acquired 

 habit of security and confidence ; or of settled compli- 

 ment and submission ; produced by a similar temper 

 (to compare small things with great) with that which 

 induces the dousing of pendants, or dropping of peeks, 

 to friends or superiors at sea, — as if reason and instinct 

 evidenced like propensities, — I am not prepared pe- 

 remptorily to decide : though some naturalists seem to 

 have no difficulties on such subjects. I am less puzzled 

 when I believe, that their creator, for wise purposes, so 

 fashioned them. 



No animal is more timid than the sheep ; and none 

 have more frequent occasions to be so. Dogs are their 

 eternal foes ; and dogs (lap-eared dogs among the worst) 



