PASTURING OF SHEEP. 39 



bodies to such a degree, as to stop them from feed- 

 ing : it is, on this account, necessary to put them in 

 the shade, during an ardent sun, which would heat 

 them excessively, under their wool. These animals 

 have the brain peculiarly weak ; the rays of the sun, 

 failing direct upon their heads, give them the vertigo : 

 this disease is called the heat ; it makes them run 

 round, and presently destroys them, if it is not rem- 

 edied by bleeding. It is necessary to put them un- 

 der the shade of a wall or a tree, in the middle of the 

 day. In the morning they should be driven to the 

 westward, and in the evening to the eastward, in or- 

 der that their heads should be shaded by their bodies ; 

 which would be the case, from holding their heads 

 down, while grazing. 



Q When sheep stand close together, and each of 

 them bends his neck, and places his head under the 

 belly of its neighbour, is it not sufficiently protected 

 from the heat of the sun ? 



A. It is true, that the head of the sheep is shaded ; 

 but this situation is more dangerous than the heat of 

 the sun ; because the head is inclined, and surround- 

 ed with air, charged with dust, and infected by the 

 vapour from the bodies of the sheep, which heats ahd 

 prevents them from receiving fresh air. Sheep also 

 conceal their heads to put their nostrils out of the way 

 of flies, which endeavour to deposit their eggs in them : 

 in this case, it is necessary to lead the flock to a cool 

 place. 



Q. In what weather is it, that sheep should not be 

 led out to graze ? 



