60 THE SHEEP. 



which confine them, find their way to the nearest elevated 

 grounds, and wander from place to place. They crop the tops 

 of herbs in the manner of goats, and endeavour to reach the 

 branches of shrubs and trees. Their descendants, for more 

 than one generation, retain the wild habits of the race. 



Of these Sheep, the least mixed with foreign blood are those 

 of the remoter Islands, chiefly of Zetland. The Sheep of 

 Orkney are of a more mixed descent, and the impure breeds 

 have not the fineness of wool which distinguishes the ancient 

 race. In these animals, the hair grows mixed with the wool 

 all over the body. The wool falls off at the commencement 

 of the warmer season, leaving the hair to protect the animal. 

 Previous to the winter months, the wool has again grown, 

 and, along with the hair, forms a thick fur, suited to afford a 

 covering during the intense rigour of the colder season. The 

 usual practice is to pluck off the wool, and not to shear it. 

 This practice has been described as rude and cruel. It is, 

 however, the method of treatment which is the best adapted 

 for obtaining the wool unmixed with the hairs, which would 

 render it unsuited for being spun and woven. The wool may, 

 in this manner, be taken from the skin without violence, and 

 would fall off naturally, and be left amongst the heaths and 

 in the bogs. The wool is scarcely ever washed before being 

 pulled, and the quantity is very small, not exceeding from l 

 to 2 Ib. in the unwashed state. It is remarkable for its soft- 

 ness and the tenuity of its filaments. It is admirably suited 

 for being made into hose and fine flannels, but is deficient in 

 the property of felting, and is therefore ill adapted for the 

 making of cloths. The black-coloured wool is the most 

 valued for the making of hose and caps, because it does not 

 require the addition of dyes. The hides with the wool form 

 beautiful pelisses, and would be valuable on this account, 

 were such dresses in demand in this country. 



The Sheep, over a great part of these islands, are pastured 

 in common, and the general treatment of them is rude in a 

 remarkable degree. The animals are often left entirely to 



