SHEEP. 



THE BOVID^, OK HOLLOW-HORNED RUMINANTS. 



In these ruminating animals the permanent bone-cones on the forehead are covered with a 

 black horny coating, which is not shed during the whole life of their owners, and in which, as they 

 continue to grow until adult life at least, the tips are the oldest parts. The females in some species 

 have horns like their mates, but smaller, as in the Ox and Eland ; while in others the Koodoo and 

 the Sing-Sing Antelope, for example the males alone are horned. The most aberrant members 

 of this group are the Giraffe, the Cabrit, and the Musk, which will be considered after the less 



MERINO SHEEP. 



peculiar genera have been discussed. These include the Oxen, Bush-Bucks, Antelopes, Koodoos, 

 Goats, Sheep, ifec., which will be referred to more in detail. 



THE SHEEP AND GOATS.* 



Between the bearded Goat and the beardless Sheep there exist intermediate species, which so 

 completely fill up the gaps that it is almost impossible to separate the two into different genera. 

 With triangular, curved, and transversely-ridged horns in both sexes, a characteristic general appear- 

 ance, and feet formed for mountain climbing, the species present differences which are recognised 

 with facility. 



With reference to the domestic Sheep, it is the opinion of most naturalists that it has descended 

 from several distinct species. "Abel was a keeper of Sheep," is a Biblical statement from which 

 the immense antiquity of a domestic breed may be inferred, whose origin cannot be better studied 

 than by a comparison of the different forms found wild in Asia, the head-quarters of the genus. 

 That no Sheep existed in Australia when that continent was first discovered is a well-known fact. 



* The "enus Om. 



