72 THE SHEEP. 



the production of the grasses, and consequently, to the rear- 

 ing of Sheep. It is known, that from early times Sheep were 

 amongst the domestic animals of the country, affording hy 

 their skins and fleeces covering to the inhabitants. After 

 the country fell under the dominion of England, the estima- 

 tion and importance of this native production is chiefly made 

 known to us by cruel laws, prohibiting the exportation of the 

 Avool of the country ; which, notwithstanding, found its way 

 in great quantity from the west of Ireland to Flanders and 

 other countries where a demand for it existed. There were 

 then no large manufactories in the country itself ; but the 

 inhabitants, like the Welsh, prepared their wool at home. 

 This system, the happiest that could be for the industry and 

 virtue of the people, remained even when the rural popula- 

 tion was undergoing an unhappy change ; and a great deal 

 of coarse stuff is still made in this way by the poor peasantry. 

 There are now also large manufactories of wool in Ireland ; 

 and, after supplying these, there is an extensive exportation 

 of the raw material and of worsted yarn to this country. 



The Sheep of Ireland consist partly of mountain breeds, 

 and partly of a large long-woolled race, which exists, with 

 very uniform characters, over the greater part of the country. 

 This latter race, which resembled the coarser extinct breeds 

 of the midland and western counties of England, is not now 

 to be found in its unmixed state. It has undergone an entire 

 change by the effects of crossing, and is every where greatly 

 improved. 



Of the Mountain Sheep of Ireland there are several breeds, 

 with characters more or less distinctly marked. Those of 

 Kerry and the west of Ireland are the most extended and 

 remarkable : that of the Wicklow Mountains has a more li- 

 mited range, but is the most valuable. 



This breed inhabits the Wicklow Mountains in the county 

 of that name. These mountains are of considerable eleva- 

 tion, exposed to high winds, and possessing a humid climate. 



