526 



YEUTEBRATA. 



THE GOITRED SHEEP. 



Iii addition to these, there arc still other breeds. The Fezzan Sheep, sometimes called the 

 Long-legged Slrrj,, the Morvan of Buffon, is of very large size, and is common in Algeria and 

 the vicinity. It lias been introduced into Europe and crossed with other breeds. The Black- 

 headed Sheep, is without horns, and is found in Abyssinia. The following peculiar kinds are in- 

 cluded in the Catalogue of the British Museum : the Barwell Sheep, of Nepaul ; the Hooniah 

 or Black-faced Sheep, of Thibet and Nepaul; the Kago or Tame Sheep, of Cabul, a native of 

 Nepaul; the Curumbar Sheep, of Mysore; the Q-arar, of India, the Pachia or Hindoo Dum- 

 ba ; the Deccan Sheep, the West India Sheep, the Brazilian Sheep, the Demerara Sheep, the 

 S th American Sheep, the Smooth-haired Sheep, the Guinea Sheep, the »S7. Helena Sheep, the 

 Morocco Shu p, the Congo Sheep, the Ja.ru I us, the Long-tailed Sheep of Russia and the Short- 

 tailed Sheep of the same country; and the Tartar Sheep, which is said to eat bones like a dog! 

 are Bome of the curiosities to be found amono- the almost numberless breeds of domestic 

 slieep. They display a singular capacity, and indeed aptitude, in the race, for the production of 

 varieties suited to the climate and circumstances in which they live — varieties in form, color, size, 

 temper, and all the qualities which render them useful to man. There is, however, a principle in 

 the nature of sheep, equally governing the ox, horse, and other races of domestic animals, of the 

 greatest importance in hreeding them, and that is, that like produces like. It is by the skillful 

 application of this rule that intelligent breeders of sheep have been able, in England, France, 

 Germany, and the United States, to produce new varieties almost at will, and suited to the wants 

 of the community. It is by this means that nearly all the renowned English breeds have been 

 brought into existence, thus greatly enlarging the circle of benefits bestowed on mankind by this 

 simple and somewhat stupid animal — the sheep. 



